Court of Session

The High Court of Justiciary and Court of Session, collectively known as the Supreme Courts of Scotland, are situated in a central location in the Old Town of Edinburgh. The Court of Session is the Royal Court of Scotland, hearing civil cases in the name of Her Majesty, the Queen, and was created in 1532. The High Court of Justiciary was created in its current form in 1672. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Courts extends to the whole of Scotland.

Parliament House is a complex of several buildings housing the Supreme Courts which, in 2012, will come to the end of a thirteen year programme of refurbishment. Recent reforms to civil and criminal procedures have encouraged judges to take a pro active role in the disposal of business.

Closely linked to the work of the Supreme Courts and the building itself are the Faculty of Advocates and the libraries.

Contact details

Postal address

Court of Session,
Parliament House,
Parliament Square,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1RQ

Main telephone

0131 225 2595

Sheriff Clerk / Main contact

Director and Principal Clerk of Session and Justiciary

Fax

0131 240 6711

Email

supreme.courts@scotcourts.gov.uk

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

Use the journey planner for public transportation information.

By bus

Several bus routes pass near to the High Street including LRT buses 3, 7, 14, 23, 27, 30, 33, 35, 41, 42, 45 and 49.

By rail

The nearest train station is Waverley Station, approximately a ten minute walk. Visit scotrail or national rail enquiries national rail enquiries for train times.

By car

There are no parking facilities at the Supreme Courts, Parliament House. The surrounding streets are "yellow lined" or have only restricted parking. If you come by car, leave sufficient time to find an all-day parking place.

By taxi

There is a taxi rank nearby outside the Radisson Blu Hotel on the High Street.

By air

The nearest airport is Edinburgh Airport (approximately 7 miles). There is a direct airport bus which arrives at Waverley Bridge. From there, the court building is a ten minute walk. For up to date bus timetables or visit journey planner.

On arrival

On arrival, please report to Parliament House Reception, Door 11 Parliament Square, just behind St Giles Cathedral. You will be directed from there to where you need to go in the building. To enter the building you will be asked to pass through airport type screening and your bags or briefcases will be searched.

If you are attending for jury duty please come to the main reception where you will be directed to where you need to go in the building.

Wheelchair users can access the building through the main Reception, Door 11 Parliament Square.

If you have any specific access arrangements please contact 0131 240 6751.

Facilities

There is a restaurant on Level -1 which provides meals and light refreshments. This is open from 9am-3.15pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 9am-2pm Wednesday and Friday. There are a number of local cafes and restaurants near to the court building.

If you are sitting on a jury, lunch and refreshments will be provided for you if the court sits into the afternoon.

A loop induction service is available in all courtrooms for people who have hearing difficulties. Please contact the Administration Unit on 0131 240 6751 if you require to use this facility.

Pay a Fine

You do not pay a fine at this court.

Opening times

Mon - Thurs 09.00 - 17.00, Fri 09.00 - 16.45

Office opening times:

Mon 10.30 - 17.00, Tues - Thurs 09.00 - 17.00, Fri 09.00 - 16.45.*

*Please note that the Offices of Court are closed on Monday mornings between 9am and 10.30am for staff training.  Urgent enquiries will be dealt with by telephoning 0131 240 6696 (for civil matters) and 0131 240 6907 (for criminal matters).

Public Holidays

2023

January 2, 3
April 7, 10
May 1, 8,15
September 18
December 4, 22*, 25, 26

Complaints

Please refer to the complaints and feedback page.

Useful Links