About the court
The Edinburgh Sheriff Court building opened to the public in September 1994. It is the largest of the courts within Lothian and Borders, serving a population of approximately 450,000 people. The Justice of the Peace Court was established in the same building on 10 March 2008.
This is a large building with eight levels and the public entrance is located on level 4 and is accessed from Chambers Street. There are security portals located at the main entrance and everyone entering the building will be subjected to a security check.
![Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court (1) Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.scotcourts.gov.uk/media/pn4ae0mc/edinburgh-sheriff-court-entrance.jpg?rnd=133523011545870000)
Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
Contact the court
Location and postal address
Sheriff Court House
27 Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1LB
Sheriff Clerk
Les McIntosh
DX
- Civil Department - 550312 Edinburgh 37
- Commissary Department - 550313 Edinburgh 37
- Criminal Department - 550308 Edinburgh 37
- ASSPIC - 550311 Edinburgh 37
Phone and email enquiries
edinburghawi@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 5for the Civil Department
- Then selectOption 3for Adults With Incapacity (AWI).
NationalPICourt@scotcourts.gov.uk
For ASSPIC e-motions: national.motions@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 5for the Civil Department
- Then selectOption 2 for Personal Injury Actions.
edinburghreferrals@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 5 for the Civil Department
- Then selectOption 3for all Children related actions.
edinburghcommercial@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 5for the Civil Department
- Then selectOption 4 for Commercial Actions, including bankruptcy and liquidations.
CRU@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select Option 4 for the Commissary Department includes dealing with a deceased person's estate.
caoedinburgh@scotcourts.gov.uk
edinburghcrime@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 3 for the Criminal Department
- Then selectOption 1 for all Criminal enquiries.
edinburghfamily@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 5for the Civil Department
- Then selectOption 3 for Family actions.
FinesLB@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 2 for Fines
- Then select:
- Option 1 for Fines Payment
- Option 2 for Fines Enquiries.
For general enquiries to Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court:
edinburgh@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
Cited jurors
For cited jurors, call the number listed on the citation after 17:00 on the day before attending court - 0800 169 2296
Edinburgh Sheriff Court juror enquiries
edinburghscjurors@scotcourts.gov.uk
Edinburgh High Court juror enquiries
edinburghhcjurors@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 1 for the Jury enquiries
- Then select Option 1 for all other Jury enquiries, including Jury expenses.
edinburghordinary@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 5 for the Civil Department
- Then select Option 5for Ordinary Actions.
edinburghpersonalinjury@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 5 for the Civil Department
- Then select Option 2 for Personal Injury Actions.
edinburghsummcause@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 225 2525
From the phone options select:
- Option 5 for the Civil Department
- Then select Option 1 for Simple Procedure or Summary Cause.
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
- Monday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00
- Friday from 09:00 to 16:45
Civil Office closures
Please note that the Civil Office is closed on the last Wednesday afternoon of every month for staff training. Urgent enquiries will be dealt with by phoning 0131 247 2848.
Criminal or cash office closures
Please note that the Criminal or Cash Office is closed on the afternoon of the second Tuesday of every month for staff training. Fines payments will not be taken. You may pay a fine online or you may phone the automated payment line on 0300 790 0003
Out of hours applications
Please phone 0131 225 2595
Public holidays
2024
- January 1, 2
- March 29
- April 1, 15
- May 6, 20
- September 16
- December 2, 25, 26
Justice of the Peace signing appointments
Personal signings are available at Edinburgh Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court each Friday afternoon.
Paying a fine
To pay a fine or for information please go to paying a fine.
Paying a fine
Directions to court
Use the journey planner for public transportation information.
Several bus routes pass George IV Bridge or South Bridge including LRT buses 7, 23, 27, 28, 29. For up to date timetable see Lothian Buses or use the journey planner.
The nearest rail station is approximately 15 minutes walk. Visit Scotrail or National rail enquiries for train times.
The court is situated opposite the National Museum of Scotland and there are public parking meters and disabled parking available in Chambers Street. Off street parking is available Monday to Sunday from 06:00 to 22:00 at NCP, St John's Hill, 2 Viewcraig Gardens, Edinburgh, EH8 9UQ.
There is a small taxi rank on Chambers Street next to the National Museum of Scotland, opposite the court entrance.
The nearest airport is Edinburgh Airport (approximately 8 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 timetables or to plan your journey visit Lothian buses or use the journey planner.
On arrival
If you are attending for a court hearing please check the notice boards or ask at the reception desk for directions to the court in which the hearing is scheduled. If unrepresented please let the court officials in that court room know you are in attendance so they can confirm the location and time your case will be heard.
Crown witnesses (you are a prosecution witness)
Please report to the witness muster area on level 3.
Defence witnesses
Please report to the reception at the main Chambers Street entrance.
Jurors on a jury
Please report to the reception at the main Chambers Street entrance. If you are attending for jury duty please come to the main reception where you will be directed to the jury reception desk.
Facilities
There is a public restaurant located on Level 6 that is open from 09:00 to 14:00 Monday to Friday.
If you are sitting on a jury, lunch and refreshments will be provided for you if the court sits into the afternoon.
Accessibility
Accessible hearing
A loop induction service is available in all courtrooms and public counters for people who have hearing difficulties. Please contact 0131 225 2525 if you require to use this facility.
Accessible access
Wheelchair users can access the building through the main Chambers Street entrance. As you approach the front of the building the push button operated door is to the right. Should you require assistance on arrival please contact the Sheriff Clerk in advance by phone 0131 247 2802 or by writing to the Sheriff Clerk.
If you require assistance to evacuate the building in an emergency please let us know in advance by sending an email to edinburgh@scotcourtstribunals.gov.uk, phone 0131 247 2802 or speak to reception staff on your arrival at court.