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Perth Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court

A court in the Sheriffdom of Tayside, Central and Fife

About the court

Perth Sheriff Court House is an imposing listed building situated on the banks of the river Tay. The building, designed by London architect Sir Robert Smirke, was built in 1819 and stands on the site of Gowrie House, the place where a plot to kill King James VI was hatched in 1600.

There are currently 5 court rooms with 3 resident Sheriffs. The Sheriffs and the Sheriff Clerk's staff deal with a variety of business which fall into the categories of Criminal, Civil and Commissary. The JP Court is dealt with by a Justice of the Peace, a Legal Advisor and a Clerk.

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

Contact the court

Postal address

Sheriff Court House
Tay Street
Perth
PH2 8NL

Sheriff Clerk

Neil Rawlings

Email

perth@scotcourts.gov.uk

DX

PE20

Phone

01738 620546

  • Civil enquiries - Option 5
  • Commissary enquiries - Option 3
  • Criminal enquiries - Option 1
  • Fines enquiries - Option 2
  • Jury enquiries - Option 2 – a general number for jurors to speak with a member of staff looking to respond to a citation
  • Simple Procedure enquiries - Option 4
  • Summary Cause enquiries - Option 4

Jury helplines

Recorded messages for updates on jury service and attendance in court

  • Sheriff - 01738 492858
  • High Court - 01738 492859

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

The Sheriff Clerk's office is closed from 14:00 to 16:00 on:

  • Tuesday, 6 February 2024
  • Tuesday, 5 March 2024
  • Tuesday, 2 April 2024
  • Tuesday, 7 May 2024
  • Tuesday, 4 June 2024
  • Tuesday, 2 July 2024
  • Tuesday, 6 August 2024
  • Tuesday, 3 September 2024
  • Tuesday, 1 October 2024
  • Tuesday, 5 November 2024
  • Tuesday, 3 December 2024

For urgent matters and applications when the office is closed please contact:

Forfar Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
Phone: 01307 46218
Email: forfar@scotcourts.gov.uk

Public holidays

2024

  • January 1, 2
  • March 29
  • April 1
  • May 6, 27
  • July 22
  • October 7
  • December 2, 25, 26

2025

January 1, 2

Commissary

All commissary applications will be processed locally within all of the courts within Tayside Central and Fife.

Justice of the Peace (JP) Signings

Justice of the Peace (JP) Signings by appointment only. Please book an appointment in advance by phoning the Sheriff Clerk’s Office.

New, first instance custodies

New, first instance custody cases will be heard in all eight Tayside, Central and Fife Sheriff and Justice of the Peace (JP) Courts:

  • Alloa Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court
  • Dundee Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court
  • Dunfermline Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court
  • Falkirk Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court
  • Forfar Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court
  • Kirkcaldy Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court
  • Perth Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court
  • Stirling Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court

Unless the above court is closed for a public holiday, where by the following hub courts will be in operation:

Paying a fine

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

Paying a fine

Small estate interviews

Small estate interviews are not taking place within the court buildings at this time, please contact your local Sheriff Court for more information and guidance.

Directions to court

The Court is located on Tay Street, near the Queens Bridge, close to the town centre and accessible by public transport. All day metered parking is available at the South Inch car park, this is a 5 minute walk from the court house. The entrance is located via Shore Road. Short stay metered car parking available at the rear of the court building, accessed via South Street or Canal Street.

Cycle parking racks can be found on Tay Street near Queen's Bridge on CycleStreets cycle parking map.

Buses stop on Princes Street, Canal Street and at Perth Bus Station which is situated in Leonard Street. All of these locations are approximately a 10 minute walk from the Courthouse.

Various bus companies operate service to and from Perth, please check local timetables or check the Traveline Scotland website. Alternatively call Traveline Scotland on 0871 200 2233.

Perth Railway Station is located on Leonard Street which is approximately a 10 minute walk from the Courthouse. Timetable information can be obtained from Scotrail or National Rail Enquiries.

The nearest taxi rank to the Courthouse is located outside Tesco Metro, South Street. This is a 5 minute walk from the Courthouse.

On arrival

On arrival please report to the main reception desk in the building through the front door and turn to the immediate right.

Jurors in jury cases

If you are attending for jury service please have your citation information readily available when checking in at front entrance reception and you will directed to the appropriate court. If you are serving on a jury a light lunch will be provided at a local hotel nearby.

Further information can be found on the About Jury Duty webpage.

Facilities

Water is available to the public. There are several restaurants close to the court house.

Accessibility

Accessible hearing

A loop induction service is available in all courtrooms for people who have hearing difficulties.

Accessible access

Full access for any wheelchair users or persons with prams/pushchairs is available via a ramp adjacent to the front entrance of the building on Tay Street.

Sheriffdom orders

Find out about the sheriffdom guidance, information and practice notes that apply to the courts in the Sheriffdom of Tayside, Central and Fife.

Please also refer to the:

Sheriffdom orders