We use cookies to collect anonymous data to help us improve your site browsing experience.

Click 'Accept all cookies' to agree to all cookies that collect anonymous data. To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only.' Visit 'Set cookie preferences' to control specific cookies.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Search

What can we help you with today?

Skip to main

Glasgow Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

A court in the Sheriffdom of Glasgow and Strathkelvin

About the court

Glasgow Sheriff and Justice of the Peace court is situated in the Gorbals area of the city centre on the banks of the River Clyde. It was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 29th of July 1986. In 2008, the building was fitted with solar panels and in 2023 it generated 55,000KWh of electricity, saving 10.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

The building is the first post-war court facility to be Grade B listed. The Court is “a monumental and significant example of late-Brutalist architecture and an important public commission”…"It was and remains the largest civil facility in Europe with the ability to accommodate 3000 users per day.” Historic Scotland, 2013.

We deal with three main types of business - Civil, Criminal and Commissary. The Fines Department and the Sheriff and Jury Department are located on the ground floor. The Civil and Commissary office is located on the 2nd floor at the East of the building and Summary Criminal Department is located on the 2nd floor at the West side. There is a security portal located at the main entrance of the building.

image of Glasgow Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
Glasgow Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

Contact the court

Postal address

Sheriff Clerk's Office
PO Box 23
1 Carlton Place
Glasgow
G5 9DA

Sheriff Clerk

Neil Christie

DX

551020

Email

Civil Enquiries

Phone

0141 429 8888 then select the menu option below

Fines enquiries

To pay a fine or enquire about a fine or fixed penalty – Option 1

Pay a fine online or at the fines payment office on arrival. (Office is on the left of the security portal).

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

Sheriff and Jury Courts

Nicola Martin, Acting Head of Sheriff and Jury / Cashiers Departments

  • For jury payments and jury excusal enquiries – Option 2
  • For enquiries in respect of Sheriff and Jury cases – Option 3

The Sheriff and Jury Department deals with all matters relating to jury cases including Juror citations and payments.

Summary Criminal Department

Elaine Donnelly, Head of Summary Criminal Department

For enquiries in respect of criminal cases including Justice of the Peace cases – Option 4

The Summary Criminal Department deals with all matters relating to Sheriff and Justice of the Peace summary criminal cases, including summary criminal appeals and fatal accident inquiries.

Justices of the Peace, Sheriffdom Legal Adviser

Rose McLeary, Sheriffdom Legal Adviser

For document signing or to contact a JP adviser – Option 5

This office does not provide legal advice to members of the public.

Justices of the Peace can sign Warrants and Affidavits Sworn under Oath in respect of persons and addresses within their Sheriffdom. They can also undertake signing and countersigning duties in connection with a range of legal documents, including Statutory Declarations, and can give character references if the Applicant is personally known to them (in the case of Passports for at least 2 years).

Civil department

Andrea Dyer, Head of Civil Department

Choose Option 6 then press option noted below

The Civil Department deals with all matters relating to civil procedure which includes:

  • Simple Procedure (Small Claims & Summary Cause) – Press 1
  • Family actions including divorce – Press 2
  • Commissary – relating to the estate of a deceased person – or for adults with incapacity cases Press 3
  • Commercial, insolvency and bankruptcy cases – Press 4
  • Ordinary Cause, including personal injury cases – Press 5
  • For any case at appeal or where a final order of the court has been pronounced – Press 6
  • For cases involving children referred to the court by the Children’s Reporter or for Adoption cases – Press 7

Administration/Estates department

John McGraw and Maureen Davidson, Head of Administration/Estates Department

The Administration/Estates Department deals with matters relating to building management.

Difficulty using the phone

Phone interpreter

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.

Text relay service

If you are deaf, have hearing loss or are speech impaired you can contact us for free with Relay UK.

British Sign Language (BSL)

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.

Opening times

The Sheriff Clerk's office is open Monday to Friday:

  • 09:00 to 13:00
  • 14:00 to 16:00

Closing times

Please note the following closures:

Civil

The civil office will be closed from 13:00 on the third Thursday of every month.

Contact the court on 0141 418 3882 for the lodging of urgent applications between:

  • 16:00 and 17:00 Monday to Thursday
  • 16:00 and 16:30 Friday
  • 13:00 and 17:00 on the third Thursday of the month

This number will only be answered and deal with the lodging of urgent applications on the above days and times.

Fines

The fines office will be closed from 13:00 on second Wednesday of the month.

Sheriff and Jury

The sheriff and jury office will be closed from 13:00 on second Friday of the month.

Summary Crime

The summary crime office will be closed from 13:00 on fourth Friday of the month.

Public holidays

2024

  • January 1, 2
  • March 29
  • April 1
  • May 6, 27
  • July 15
  • September 30
  • December 2, 25, 26

Directions to court

The courts are well served by public transport. Use the journey planner for public transportation information.

Cycle parking racks can be found at the nearby riverside path, on CycleStreets cycle parking map.

Details of bus services and routes are available from the following websites SPT or Traveline (0871 200 2233).

The nearest train stations are Central, Queen Street and Argyle Street (Low Level). The nearest underground station is Bridge Street. Timetables are available on Scotrail, SPT, Traveline or National Rail Enquiries.

There is very limited parking. The nearest public car parks are King Street (off Bridgegate); Stockwell Place (off Stockwell Street) and St Enoch Shopping Centre.

On arrival

When you arrive at the court building, you will be required to pass through a security portal and in addition have your personal bags/briefcases etc searched. These checks are carried out to ensure the safety of all court users.

Areas within the building are clearly signposted however, if you require assistance or directions please report to the reception desk.

Facilities

The public restaurant within Glasgow Sheriff & JP building is open from 09:00 to 15:00 daily.

There are vending machines throughout the building selling cold drinks and confectionary.

The city centre is within a short walking distance from the court, where you can find banks, post offices, shops, restaurants and cafes.

If you are selected to sit on a jury - lunch and refreshments will be provided if the court sits on into the afternoon.

Accessibility

Accessible hearing

A hearing loop system is available in all courts

Those with a hearing impairment who do not use a hearing aid or use a hearing aid without the (T) setting can be provided with a hearing enhancement headset from reception.

If you encounter any difficulties with these arrangements, please contact any member of staff, who will assist you further.

Accessible access

Disabled access is available via ramps from the car park and adjacent streets to the courthouse. There is also a disabled access door at the main entrance and lifts to all floors.

Sheriffdom orders

Find out about the sheriffdom guidance, information and practice notes that apply to the courts in the Sheriffdom of Glasgow and Strathkelvin.

Please also refer to the:

Sheriffdom orders