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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.
Postal address for criminal matters
Clerk of the Sheriff Appeal Court
Justiciary Office
Parliament House,
Parliament Square,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1RQ
Main telephone
Deputy Clerk of the Appeal Court
0131 225 2595
DX
549306, Edinburgh 36
Email
Appeals - summaryappeals@scotcourts.gov.uk
Bail appeals - bailappealreport@scotcourts.gov.uk
Accessibility contact
If you want to contact us using text relay please follow the guidance at this link -
the Next Generation Text Service
If you require the support of an interpreter when you contact the office (by phone or attend in person), a telephone interpretation service is available. To access this service ask for telephone interpreting and the language required.
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
www.contactscotland-bsl.org By bus
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.
By rail
The nearest train station is Waverley Station, approximately a ten minute walk. Visit ScotRail or National Rail Enquiries for train times.
By car
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.
By taxi
There is a taxi rank nearby outside the Radisson Blu Hotel on the High Street.
By air
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 - 0131 240 6920.
Mon - Thurs 09.00 - 17.00, Fri 09.00 - 16.45
Office opening times:
Mon 10.30 - 17.00, Tues - Thurs 09.00 - 17.00, Fri 09.00 - 16.45.*
*Please note that the Offices of Court are closed on Monday mornings between 9am and 10.30am for staff training.
Please refer to the complaints and feedback page.