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A court in the Sheriffdom of Grampian, Highland and Islands
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 19th century. The Category A listed building now accommodates the High Court and sheriff court jury sittings.
53 Castle Street
Aberdeen
AB11 5BB
Castle Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1WP
01224 657250
Fiona Fleming
AB61
These helplines give recorded information messages for jurors only:
A phone interpreter service is available when you contact a court by phone or attend in person. To access this service ask for phone interpreter and the language required.
The phone interpreter service is not available during actual court proceedings.
If you are deaf, have hearing loss or are speech impaired you can contact us for free with Relay UK.
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 Contact Scotland BSL website.
The Sheriff Clerk's office is open Monday to Friday:
Festive closing times
The court closes at 15:00 on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and Tuesday 31 December 2024.
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.
If you are telephoning the court during our opening hours, you can expect your phone call to be answered promptly and politely.
January 1, 2
To pay a fine or for information please go to paying a fine.
Please use journey planner for public transportation information.
Cycle parking racks can be found on the pavement outside the court building on the CycleStreets cycle parking map.
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.
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.
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.
The main taxi ranks are located at Hadden Street, Back Wynd, Dee Street and Chapel Street.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Find out about the sheriffdom guidance, information and practice notes that apply to the courts in the Sheriffdom of Grampian, Highland and Islands.
Please also refer to the:
Find out more about the courts in this sheriffdom.
Grampian, Highland and Islands