About the court
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 Her Majesty, the Queen, 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 where, in 2012, a thirteen year programme of refurbishment was completed. Recent reforms to civil and criminal procedures have encouraged judges to take a proactive 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.
Edinburgh High Court
Contact the court
Postal address
Parliament House
Parliament Square
Edinburgh
EH1 1RQ
Phone
0131 225 2595
Principal Clerk
Director and Principal Clerk of Session and Justiciary
DX
- Civil Department: 549306, Edinburgh 36
- Criminal Department: 549306, Edinburgh 36
Fax
- Civil Department: 0131 240 6746
- Criminal Department: 0131 240 6915
supreme.courts@scotcourts.gov.uk
Specific enquiries
For all High Court sittings at first instance:
firstinstancehighcourt@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 240 6907
Appeals from solemn proceedings:
solemnappeals@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 240 6909
Appeals from Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Courts:
summaryappeals@scotcourts.gov.uk
Phone
0131 240 6912
Find out about applications for transcripts of criminal proceedings.
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
Office opening times:
- Monday from 10:30 to 17:00
- Tuesday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00
- Friday from 09:00 from 16:45
Offices of Court closures
Please note that the Offices of Court are closed on Monday mornings from 09:00 to 10:30 for staff training.
Urgent enquiries will be dealt with by phoning:
- Civil matters - 0131 240 5743
- Criminal matters - 0131 240 6905
Public holidays
2024
- January 1,2
- March 29
- April 1,15
- May 6,20
- September 16
- December 2,24*,25,26
*denotes half day.
Directions to court
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
On arrival, please report to High Court at the Lawnmarket. 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.
Jurors on a jury
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.
Facilities
There is a restaurant on Level -1 which provides meals and light refreshments. This is open from 09:00 to 15:15 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 09:00 to 14:00 Wednesday and Friday. There are a number of local cafes and restaurants near to the court building.
Accessibility
Accessible hearing
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.
Accessible access
Wheelchair users can access the building through the main Reception. If you have any specific access arrangements please contact 0131 225 2595.
