Criminal Sheriff Appeal Court (SAC) – Questions and Answers

Where is the Criminal SAC?

The Criminal SAC is located in Edinburgh.

Criminal appeals will be heard in Court 5 (Lawnmarket building) and bail appeals will be heard in the bail hearing room (also Lawnmarket building).

When does the SAC start?

The Criminal SAC is established from 22 September 2015. The Civil SAC will become operational in early 2016.

What days will the criminal SAC sit?

The Criminal SAC will initially sit on two consecutive days each fortnight. Substantive criminal appeals will be heard on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

• Tuesday - triple Bench presiding over conviction / conviction and sentence appeals
• Wednesday - double Bench presiding over sentence appeals

Bail appeals will continue to be heard in the bail appeal room in the Lawnmarket building Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 10:00.

What are the contact details of the Criminal SAC?

Clerk of the Sheriff Appeal Court
Justiciary Office
Parliament House
Parliament Square
Edinburgh EH1 1RQ

DX 549306, Edinburgh 36
Phone number 0131 240 6912.

Who will preside over Sheriff Appeal Court appeals?

The SAC is established by section 46 of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. It is to be presided over by appeal sheriffs. Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the 2014 Act provides for the appointment of appeal sheriffs.

List of appeal sheriffs

Where will the Rolls of Court be published?

Cases calling will be published on the weekly Rolls of Court which will be available on the SCTS website. Additionally the Rolls of Court will be displayed on a notice board outside the public entrance of Court 5 in the Lawnmarket building.

What will happen with bail appeals?

Appeals from all bail decisions of sheriff or justice of the peace courts marked on or after 22 September 2015 are to be heard by the SAC. Appeals will continue to be lodged with the court making the order.

Where can I find out more information about the operation of the SAC?

The Act of Adjournal (Criminal Procedure Rules 1996 Amendment) (No.4) (Sheriff Appeal Court) 2015 sets out the rules for the SAC.
The Criminal Procedure Rules and forms on the SCTS website will be updated for 22 September 2015.