Kirkwall Sheriff Court

Latest covid-19 information

Please check the latest covid-19 information.

If you want to pay your fine or would like information and advice please visit our Pay a Fine page.  

Hub Courts for new, first instance custodies

New, first instance custody cases will continue to be heard in hub courts as first instance cases in each Sheriffdom as follows. Thereafter, if a further substantive hearing is assigned this will be to the court of local jurisdiction.

  

Sheriffdom orders

The following Sheriffdom guidance, information and practice notes apply to this court.

Please also refer to the Rules and Practice section of the website.

Kirkwall Sheriff Court was opened on 27 August 1877. The building was designed by David Bryce, one of Scotland's most important Victorian architects. The courthouse sits between the Historic Scotland sites of the Earls and Bishops Palaces. The building has one courtroom and sheriff chambers as well as office accommodation for the Sheriff clerk depute and the Procurator Fiscal Service.

Kirkwall Sheriff Court covers the whole of the Orkney Islands area.

Visiting Kirkwall Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court - Word version
Visiting Kirkwall Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court - PDF version

 

Contact Details

Postal address

Sheriff Court House,
Watergate,
Kirkwall,
Orkney,
KW15 1PD

Main telephone

01856 872110

Sheriff Clerk / Main contact

Laura Beth Macvie (Depute)

All commissary work carried out

Email

kirkwall@scotcourts.gov.uk

DX   557986 Kirkwall

Jury helpline

01856 872110 is available from 17.00 the day prior to a sitting

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

The sheriff court is in the centre of town and public transport is available. Use the journey planner for public transportation information.

On Arrival

On arrival please enter the sheriff clerk's public office, first door on the left. If you are attending for jury duty please come to the public office.

Wheelchair users can access the building via a ramp to the main entrance.

If you have any specific access requirements please contact: Laura Beth Macvie, Sheriff Clerk Depute.

Languageline facilities are available for anyone who requires the support of an interpreter.

Facilities

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 court if you require to use this facility.

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

Monday to Thursday 09:00 - 16:30 
Friday 09:00 - 16:00
The office closes for lunch between 13:00 - 14:00 

The court sits 7 days a month.

 

Week 1 – Tuesday Civil; Wednesday Crime

Week 2 – No Court Scheduled

Week 3 – Monday Proofs/Trials; Tuesday Civil; Wednesday Crime; Thursday Trials; Friday Trials (business need dependent)

Week 4 – No Court Scheduled

Public Holidays

2023

January 2, 3
April 7, 10
May 1, 8
June 5
July 31
September 25
December 4, 25, 26

Complaints

Please refer to the complaints and feedback page.

Useful Links

• Procurator Fiscal
• Victim Support Scotland
• Scottish Prison Service
• Office of the Public Guardian
• Scottish Children's Reporter
• Orkney Islands Council
• Police Scotland

Accessibility