Aberdeen Sheriff Court Annex and High Court of Justiciary
Hub courts
This is one of the ten ‘Hub’ courts in Scotland dealing with essential business only during Coronavirus.
Essential business is as follows:
1. New custody cases where a remand is to be sought on public safety grounds, and individuals who have been released on undertakings to appear at a specified court. (Further guidance on this will be issued shortly).
2. New undertaking cases
3. Custody Sentencing cases. Where possible the Accused will VC in from Prison.
4. High Court Preliminary Hearing and Sheriff Court First Diet Courts. If the accused has been served with an indictment and have either a First Diet or Preliminary Hearing set down then it is likely that these will be postponed administratively. However, all efforts will continue for Crown office to liaise with solicitors to identify issues that require to be resolved and whether the case itself could resolve.
5. A small number of summary custody trials may take place where witnesses are available and it is possible to continue. Solicitors and witnesses will be contacted proactively by the Crown where this is proposed.
6. Other Criminal and Civil business where there is an urgent need for the court to make a decision.
Please only contact this court if you have essential or emergency business.
You will only be allowed into the court if your presence is required as part of the proceedings. Please stay at home if you are a member of the public.
Notice for court users during Covid-19 Sheriffdom Orders and Guidance
Order in respect of Summary Criminal and Justice of the Peace Business letter pleas | PDF | 102.57 KB | 18 Jan, 2021 |
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Order in respect of Summary Criminal Business Refixing Diets | PDF | 137.88 KB | 11 Jan, 2021 |
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Order by Sheriff Principal D C W Pyle | PDF | 161.52 KB | 24 Nov, 2020 |
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Order No 4 2020 In Relation to Proceedings on Indictment | PDF | 247.28 KB | 24 Nov, 2020 |
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Proceedings on Indictment Order No 4 2020 | PDF | 351.99 KB | 27 Oct, 2020 |
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Custody Order | PDF | 70.68 KB | 04 Aug, 2020 |
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Order Transfer Proceedings No 3 | PDF | 182.37 KB | 30 Jun, 2020 |
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Electronic submission of documents Civil No 4 of 2020 | PDF | 104.73 KB | 26 Jun, 2020 |
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Electronic submission of documents | PDF | 195.62 KB | 19 Jun, 2020 |
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Guidance Civil No 2 | PDF | 244.24 KB | 19 Jun, 2020 |
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Guidance Summary Business No 2 | PDF | 182.91 KB | 11 Jun, 2020 |
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Order for Criminal Business GHI | PDF | 89.85 KB | 20 Apr, 2020 |
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Order Transfer of Proceedings SP Pyle No2 | PDF | 93.16 KB | 01 Apr, 2020 |
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Order Transfer of Proceedings SP Pyle No 1 | PDF | 96.17 KB | 01 Apr, 2020 |
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Civil Guidance GHI | PDF | 117.55 KB | 01 Apr, 2020 |
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Guidance Summary Business GHI | PDF | 71.80 KB | 01 Apr, 2020 |
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The Sheriff Court Annex (Mercatgate) was originally built in 1801 as a bank to a design by James Burn, and there is evidence that part of the building was used as a printer’s office in the late 19
th century. The
Category A listed building now accommodates the
High Court and
sheriff court jury sittings.
Contact details
Location Address
53 Castle Street
Aberdeen
AB11 5BB
Postal address
Castle Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1WP
Main telephone
01224 657250
Sheriff Clerk / Main contact
Fiona Fleming
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 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
If you want to pay your fine or would like information and advice please visit our Pay a Fine page.
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
2020
November 30
December 25, 28
2021
January 1, 4
April 2, 5, 19
May 3
July 12
September 27
December 6, 27, 28
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.
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, a phone based service is available - ask for Language Line and the language required.