Courts

In Scotland, civil, criminal and heraldic Courts are responsible for the administration of justice.  All Courts within Scotland are governed by Scots Law. 

The Court of the Lord Lyon has jurisdiction over all heraldic business in Scotland. 

Within our Local Authority, Stirling Sheriff Court operates as our local sheriff court and Justice of the Peace court.  The Court of Session is the supreme civil court of Scotland and will hear cases of first instance and act as a court of appeal for civil cases from other courts, such as Sheriff courts and heraldic appeals the Court of the Lord Lyon.  In certain circumstances, there is a right of appeal to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom (prior to 2009, the House of Lords served a judicial role as the Court of last resort).  The High Court of Justiciary is the supreme criminal court of Scotland and serves as both a court of first instance and a court of appeal.  The High Court of Justiciary has jurisdiction over all crimes in Scotland, unless restricted by statute.

Further information…