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Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

The Sheriffdom of Lothian and Borders

About the court

The Edinburgh Sheriff Court building opened to the public in September 1994. It is the largest of the courts within Lothian and Borders, serving a population of approximately 450,000 people. The Justice of the Peace Court was established in the same building on 10 March 2008.

This is a large building with eight levels and the public entrance is located on level 4 and is accessed from Chambers Street. There are security portals located at the main entrance and everyone entering the building will be subjected to a security check.

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

Contact the court

Location and postal address

Sheriff Court House
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB

Sheriff Clerk

Les McIntosh

DX

  • Civil Department - 550312 Edinburgh 37
  • Commissary Department - 550313 Edinburgh 37
  • Criminal Department - 550308 Edinburgh 37
  • ASSPIC - 550311 Edinburgh 37

Phone and email enquiries

Email

edinburghawi@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 5 for the Civil Department
  • Then select Option 3 for Adults With Incapacity (AWI).

Email

NationalPICourt@scotcourts.gov.uk

For ASSPIC e-motions: national.motions@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 5 for the Civil Department
  • Then select Option 2 for Personal Injury Actions.

Email

edinburghreferrals@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 5 for the Civil Department
  • Then select Option 3 for all Children related actions.

Email

edinburghcommercial@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 5 for the Civil Department
  • Then select Option 4 for Commercial Actions, including bankruptcy and liquidations.

Email

CRU@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select Option 4 for the Commissary Department includes dealing with a deceased person's estate.

Email

edinburghcrime@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 3 for the Criminal Department
  • Then select Option 1 for all Criminal enquiries.

Email

edinburghfamily@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 5 for the Civil Department
  • Then select Option 3 for Family actions.

Email

FinesLB@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 2 for Fines
  • Then select:
    • Option 1 for Fines Payment
    • Option 2 for Fines Enquiries.

For general enquiries to Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court:

Email

edinburgh@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

Cited jurors
For cited jurors, call the number listed on the citation after 17:00 on the day before attending court - 0800 169 2296

Email

Edinburgh Sheriff Court juror enquiries
edinburghscjurors@scotcourts.gov.uk

Edinburgh High Court juror enquiries
edinburghhcjurors@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 1 for the Jury enquiries
  • Then select Option 1 for all other Jury enquiries, including Jury expenses.

Email

edinburghordinary@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 5 for the Civil Department
  • Then select Option 5 for Ordinary Actions.

edinburghpersonalinjury@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 5 for the Civil Department
  • Then select Option 2 for Personal Injury Actions.

Email

edinburghsummcause@scotcourts.gov.uk

Phone

0131 225 2525

From the phone options select:

  • Option 5 for the Civil Department
  • Then select Option 1 for Simple Procedure or Summary Cause.

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

Festive closing times
The court closes at 15:00 on Tuesday 24 December 2024 and Tuesday 31 December 2024.

Closing times

Civil Office closures

The Civil Office is closed on the last Wednesday afternoon of every month for staff training. Urgent enquiries will be dealt with by phoning 0131 247 2848.

Criminal or cash office closures

The Criminal or Cash Office is closed on the afternoon of the second Tuesday of every month for staff training. Fines payments will not be taken. You may pay a fine online or you may phone the automated payment line on 0300 790 0003.

Out of hours applications

Phone 0131 225 2595.

Public holidays

2024

  • January 1, 2
  • March 29
  • April 1, 15
  • May 6, 20
  • September 16
  • December 2, 25, 26

2025

January 1, 2

Justice of the Peace signing appointments

Personal signings are available at Edinburgh Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court each Friday afternoon.

Paying a fine

To pay a fine or for information please go to paying a fine.

Paying a fine

Directions to court

Use the journey planner for public transportation information.

Cycle parking racks can be found across the road from the court, outside the National Museum of Scotland on CycleStreets cycle parking map.

Several bus routes pass George IV Bridge or South Bridge including LRT buses 7, 23, 27, 28, 29. For up to date timetable see Lothian Buses or use the journey planner.

The nearest rail station is approximately 15 minutes walk. Visit Scotrail or National rail enquiries for train times.

The court is situated opposite the National Museum of Scotland and there are public parking meters and disabled parking available in Chambers Street. Off street parking is available Monday to Sunday from 06:00 to 22:00 at NCP, St John's Hill, 2 Viewcraig Gardens, Edinburgh, EH8 9UQ.

There is a small taxi rank on Chambers Street next to the National Museum of Scotland, opposite the court entrance.

The nearest airport is Edinburgh Airport (approximately 8 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 timetables or to plan your journey visit Lothian buses or use the journey planner.

On arrival

If you are attending for a court hearing please check the notice boards or ask at the reception desk for directions to the court in which the hearing is scheduled. If unrepresented please let the court officials in that court room know you are in attendance so they can confirm the location and time your case will be heard.

Crown witnesses (you are a prosecution witness)

Please report to the witness muster area on level 3.

Defence witnesses

Please report to the reception at the main Chambers Street entrance.

Jurors on a jury

Please report to the reception at the main Chambers Street entrance. If you are attending for jury duty please come to the main reception where you will be directed to the jury reception desk.

Facilities

There is a public restaurant located on Level 6 that is open from 09:00 to 14:00 Monday to Friday.

If you are sitting on a jury, lunch and refreshments will be provided for you if the court sits into the afternoon.

Accessibility

Accessible hearing

A loop induction service is available in all courtrooms and public counters for people who have hearing difficulties. Please contact 0131 225 2525 if you require to use this facility.

Accessible access

Wheelchair users can access the building through the main Chambers Street entrance. As you approach the front of the building the push button operated door is to the right. Should you require assistance on arrival please contact the Sheriff Clerk in advance by phone 0131 247 2802 or by writing to the Sheriff Clerk.

If you require assistance to evacuate the building in an emergency please let us know in advance by sending an email to edinburgh@scotcourtstribunals.gov.uk, phone 0131 247 2802 or speak to reception staff on your arrival at court.

Sheriffdom orders

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

Please also refer to the:

Sheriffdom orders