The law courts in Scotland

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The law courts in Scotland Section 7
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District Courts

• There are 30 district courts in Scotland
• Justice of the Peace (a lay person who is not
  legally qualified)
• No jury
• Minor offences e.g. breach of the peace, driving
  offences, TV licence fraud
• Sentencing powers maximum fine of 2,500,
  maximum prison sentence of 60 days

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Justice of the Peace Courts
A new act of the Scottish parliament passed in
January 2006, Criminal Proceedings Reform Bill
means

• District courts will become JP (Justice of the
  Peace) Courts
• JP courts will be run by the Scottish Courts
  service instead of local councils

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Sheriff Court

• 49 Sheriff courts in Scotland
• Sheriff (a full-time judge), no jury for less
  serious crimes known as summary procedure
• Most offences apart from most serious
• Can also deal with civil cases
• Sheriff with jury (of 15 people) for more serious
  crimes known as solemn procedure

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Sheriff Court

• Sentencing powers The maximum penalty that may
  be imposed is 3 months' imprisonment or a 5,000
  fine (in summary cases) or 5 years' imprisonment
  or an unlimited fine (in solemn cases).

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High Court

• Judge with jury of 15
• It sits in cities and larger towns
• Glasgow and Edinburgh have permanent High Court
  Buildings
• Most serious offences, e.g. murder, rape
• Sentencing powers unlimited

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Civil Courts

• The main civil court in Scotland is the Court of
  Session
• It meets in Edinburgh
• It mostly deals with cases in which people are
  suing others for large amounts of money and
  complex divorce cases