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The High Court of Justiciary and Court of Session, collectively known as the Supreme Courts of Scotland, are situated in a central location in the Old Town of Edinburgh. The Court of Session is the Royal Court of Scotland, hearing civil cases in the name of His Majesty, the King, and was created in 1532. The High Court of Justiciary was created in its current form in 1672. The jurisdiction of the Supreme Courts extends to the whole of Scotland.
Parliament House is a complex of several buildings housing the Supreme Courts which, in 2012, came to the end of a thirteen year programme of refurbishment. Recent reforms to civil and criminal procedures have encouraged judges to take a pro active role in the disposal of business.
Closely linked to the work of the Supreme Courts and the building itself are the Faculty of Advocates and the libraries of the Writers to the Signet and the Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts.
Parliament House
Parliament Square
Edinburgh
EH1 1RQ
Director and Principal Clerk of Session and Justiciary
supreme.courts@scotcourts.gov.uk
Including any urgent enquiries out of normal office opening times:
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.
January 1, 2
*denotes half day.
Cycle parking racks can be found outside the High Court on the corner of St Giles Street and the Royal Mile and also at Chambers Court outside Edinburgh City Chambers, on CycleStreets cycle parking map.
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 Supreme Courts, Parliament House. 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.
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, please report to Parliament House Reception, Door 11 Parliament Square, just behind St Giles Cathedral. 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.
If you are attending for jury duty please come to the main reception where you will be directed to where you need to go in the building. If you are sitting on a jury, lunch and refreshments will be provided for you if the court sits into the afternoon.
There is a restaurant on Level -1 which provides meals and light refreshments. This is open from 09:00 to 14:00 Monday to Friday. There are a number of local cafes and restaurants near to the court building.
A loop induction service is available in all courtrooms for people who have hearing difficulties. Please contact the Administration Unit on 0131 225 2595 if you require to use this facility.
Wheelchair users can access the building through the main Reception, Door 11 Parliament Square. If you have any specific access arrangements please contact 0131 225 2595.