Aberdeen Sheriff Court Annex and High Court of Justiciary

The Sheriff Court Annex (Mercatgate) was built in 1801 to a design by James Burn, with the interiors designed by William Smith, the building was originally built as a bank, but there is evidence that part of it was used as a printer's in the late 19th Century. Named "Mercatgate" and listed grade "A" with Historic Scotland, the building provides accommodation for the High Court as well as all Sheriff Court Jury sittings.

Contact details

Location Address

53 Castle Street
Aberdeen
AB11 5BB

Postal address

Castle Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1WP

Main telephone

01224 657238

Sheriff Clerk / Main contact

Fiona Hendry

DX

AB61

Email

aberdeen@scotcourts.gov.uk

Jury helpline

High Court jury helpline: 08000 121349

Sheriff and Jury helpline: 08000 234009.

These lines give recorded information messages for jurors only

Accessibility contact

If you have a text phone you can contact the court using Text Relay.

If you require the support of an interpreter when you contact a court (by phone or attend in person), a telephone interpretation service is available. To access this service ask for telephone interpreting and the language required. This service is NOT available during actual court proceedings.

If you use British Sign Language (BSL) and wish to phone us using a sign language interpreter, you can use the online video relay interpreting service. For more information see the contactSCOTLAND website. www.contactscotland-bsl.org

Directions

Please use journey planner for public transportation information.

By bus

Buses from outlying areas stop on Union Street, King Street, Castle Street and at Aberdeen bus station which is located on Guild Street beside the train station.

For more information on timetables please use the Journey Planner or contact First Bus

By rail

Aberdeen train station is located on Guild Street and is approximately 10 minute walk from the courthouse. There are trains in operation south to both Glasgow and Edinburgh and trains north to Inverness.

Information on the times of trains to and from all stations can be obtained at Scotrail or National rail enquiries

By car

There is no public car park at the Court. There is various on-street (metered) car parking, maximum stay 4 hours. The nearest long-stay car park is the NCP at Shiprow, 5 minutes walk from the courthouse. We have arranged for court users who bring their ticket to reception for validation to receive a 25% discount on parking fees at the NCP car park at Shiprow.

By taxi

The main taxi ranks are located at Hadden Street, Back Wynd, Dee Street and Chapel Street.

By air

Aberdeen Airport is in the Dyce area of Aberdeen and is serviced by most major domestic airlines. The airport is approximately a 45 minutes drive in rush-hour traffic from the Court.

On arrival

On arrival at the Mercatgate building please report to our reception desk. If you are coming to court as a juror or witness please have your citation or other paperwork available in order that our reception staff can direct you to the appropriate court or witness room.

Occasionally there are additional security measures carried out, these entail individuals being screened by hand held scanners and baggage checks may also be made.

When you arrive at the Mercatgate you can expect courteous and prompt service from all our members of staff.

If you are involved in a case within the building, you can expect to be directed by a member of our staff to the designated waiting area for the court room where the case is to be held. You can expect to be updated regularly on your case by a member of our staff.

Facilities

There are a variety of restaurants and cafes within a few minutes walk from the Court. Vending machines for hot and cold drinks and snacks are available in the main reception area for use by all court visitors.

Jurors are provided with refreshments during the day and lunch is also provided for them.

Pay a Fine

Pay a fine online or to pay a fine or have a jury expenses form to hand in, then please contact our fines office which is located opposite the civil department on the ground floor of the sheriff court building on Castle Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1WP.

Payment Methods: Cash, Debit Card, Credit Card, Cheque or Postal Order.

(please do not send cash through the post).

Please make cheques and postal orders payable to "Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service"

send by post to:

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Central Processing Unit, PO Box 23, Glasgow, G5 9DA

Opening times

Normal opening hours
Mercatgate is open Monday to Friday 09:00 - 16:30

If you arrive at the building on a day that it is closed, please contact Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court across the road for any assistance that you may be requiring.

Jurors should report to the reception desk at the allocated time on their citations.

Please note: juror payments are dealt with in the Fines Office located in the main sheriff court building.

If you are telephoning the court during our opening hours, you can expect your phone call to be answered promptly and politely.

Public Holidays

2018

December 3, 25, 26

2019

January 1. 2

April 19, 22

July 8

Aug 5

September 23

December 2, 25, 26

Complaints

Please refer to the complaints and feedback page.

Useful Links

Wheelchair users can access the building using the ramp access. A lift is available to access different floor levels and all courts are accessible by wheelchair users.

If you have any specific access requirements please contact 01224 657250.

A hearing loop system is available in all court rooms for those with hearing difficulties. Please speak to our reception staff or the court officer if you require assistance.