Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
The Edinburgh Sheriff Court building opened to the public in September 1994. It is the largest of the courts within Lothian and Borders, serving a population of approximately 450,000 people. The Justice of the Peace Court was established in the same building on 10 March 2008.
This is a large building with eight levels and the public entrance is located on level 4 and is accessed from Chambers Street. There are security portals located at the main entrance and everyone entering the building will be subjected to a security check.
Contact details
Postal address
Sheriff Court House,
27 Chambers Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1LB
Main telephone
0131 225 2525
Sheriff Clerk / Main contact
Les McIntosh
Civil department contact - Telephone 0131 225 2525, Option 3
Small Claims/Summary Cause – As above, then option 1
Ordinary Family actions including simplified divorces – As above, then option 2
Commissary, including dealing with a deceased person's estate – As above, then option 3
Personal Injury Actions – As above, then option 4
Commercial Actions – As above, then option 5
Adoptions, Adults with Incapacity or Referrals – As above, then option 6
Criminal department contact – Telephone 0131 225 2525, Option 2
Criminal enquiries – As above, then option 1
Jury enquiries – As above, then option 2
Justice of the Peace Court enquiries - As above, then option 3
Administration department contact – Telephone 0131 225 2525, Option 4
Justice of the Peace Signing Appointments - Appointments can be made to request a Justice of the Peace to sign certain types of documents at the court. Please call 0131 225 2525 press # key and then enter 472590 or 472154 to request an appointment.
For more information go to Signing Documents
DX
550312 Civil Department
550313 Commissary Department
550308 Criminal Department
Fax
Civil Department: 0131 225 8899
Email
General Enquiries: edinburgh@scotcourts.gov.uk
Personal Injury: edinburghpersonalinjury@scotcourts.gov.uk
Fines: FinesLB@scotcourts.gov.uk
AWI: edinburghawi@scotcourts.gov.uk
Jury helpline
0800 169 2296
For any urgent enquiry you can speak to a member of the jury team on 0131 225 2525 ext 472135
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
Use the journey planner for public transportation information.
By bus
Several bus routes pass George IV Bridge or South Bridge including LRT buses 7, 23, 27, 28, 29. For up to date timetable see Lothian Buses or use the journey planner
By rail
The nearest rail station is approximately ten minutes walk. Visit Scotrail or National rail enquiries for train times.
By car
The Court is situated opposite the National Museum of Scotland and there are public parking meters and disabled parking available in Chamber Street. Off street parking is available Mon - Sun: 06.00 - 22.00 at NCP, St John's Hill, 2 Viewcraig Gardens, Edinburgh, EH8 9UQ.
By taxi
There is a taxi rank opposite the court entrance.
By air
The nearest airport is Edinburgh Airport (approximately 8 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 timetables or to plan your journey visit Lothian buses or use the journey planner.
On arrival
If you are attending for a court hearing please check the notice boards or ask at the reception desk for directions to the court in which the hearing is scheduled. If unrepresented please let the court officials in that court room know you are in attendance so they can confirm the location and time your case will be heard.
Crown Witnesses (you are a prosecution witness) - please report to the witness muster area on level 3.
Jurors - Please report to the reception at the main Chambers Street entrance
Defence witnesses - Please report to the reception at the main Chambers Street entrance
If you are attending for jury duty please come to the main reception where you will be directed to the jury reception desk.
Wheelchair users can access the building through the main Chambers Street entrance. As you approach the front of the building the push button operated door is to the right. Should you require assistance on arrival please contact the Sheriff Clerk in advance by telephone 0131 247 2802 or by writing to the Sheriff Clerk.
If you require assistance to evacuate the building in an emergency please let us know in advance by e-mailing: Edinburgh@scotcourtstribunals.gov.uk; telephone 0131 247 2802 or speak to reception staff on your arrival at court.
Hearing loops are installed in all courts and public counters.
Facilities
There is a public restaurant located on Level 6 that is open from 09.00 to 14.00 Monday to Friday.
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 0131 247 2563 if you require to use this facility.
Pay a Fine
Pay a fine online or at the fines payment office is located to the left as you go through the security portals after entering the building.
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
Fines payments: 0131 247 2580/2566/2579 Fines enforcement: 0131 225 2525 (option 1)
Opening times
Mon - Thurs 09:00 - 17:00
Fri 09:00 - 16:45
*Please note that the Civil Office is closed on the last Wednesday afternoon of every month for staff training. Urgent enquiries will be dealt with by telephoning 0131 247 2848
*Please note that the Criminal/Cash Office is closed on the afternoon of the second Tuesday of every month for staff training. Fines payments will not be taken. You may pay online at http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/pay-a-fine or you may phone the automated payment line on 0300 790 0003
Urgent enquiries will be dealt with by telephoning 0131 247 2565 or 0131 472211
Public Holidays
2018
January 1. 2
March 30
April 2, 16
May 7, 21
September 17
December 3, 25, 26
Complaints
Please refer to the complaints and feedback page.
Useful Links