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The Sheriff Appeal Court (SAC) was established in 2015 as part of Lord Gill’s Scottish Civil Courts Reforms to deal with summary (less serious) criminal appeals. It normally sits in the courthouse at the Lawnmarket, Edinburgh.
The Court hears appeals against summary criminal proceedings from both the sheriff and the justice of the peace courts. An appeal against conviction is normally heard by three appeal sheriffs, while an appeal against sentence is normally heard by two appeal sheriffs.
The Court also hears appeals against bail decisions made by a sheriff or a justice of the peace. These hearings are normally presided over by one appeal sheriff.
Sheriff Principal Mhairi Stephen, QC, is the President of the Court and Sheriff Principal Craig Scott, QC, is the Vice President.
The Court also hears civil appeals.
Clerk of the Sheriff Appeal Court
Justiciary Office
Parliament House
Parliament Square
Edinburgh
EH1 1RQ
Deputy Clerk of the Appeal Court
549306, Edinburgh 36
0131 225 2595
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.
Please note that the Offices of Court are closed on Monday mornings from 09:00 to 10:30 for staff training.
*denotes half day.
Several bus routes pass near to the High Street including LRT buses 3, 7, 14, 23, 27, 30, 33, 35, 41, 42, 45 and 49.
The nearest train station is Waverley Station, approximately a ten minute walk. Visit ScotRail or National Rail Enquiries for train times.
There are no parking facilities at the Court. The surrounding streets are "yellow lined" or have only restricted parking. If you come by car, leave sufficient time to find an all-day parking place or use the car park finder.
There is a taxi rank nearby outside the Radisson Blu Hotel on the High Street.
The nearest airport is Edinburgh Airport (approximately 7 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 bus timetables or visit journey planner.
On arrival at court, please report to the reception area. You will be directed from there to where you need to go in the building. To enter the building you will be asked to pass through airport type screening and your bags or briefcases will be searched.
Wheelchair users can access the building through the main door. If you have any specific access arrangements please contact reception on 0131 240 6920.