{{Short description|Independent public body}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} {{Use British English|date=June 2017}} {{Infobox government agency |native_name = {{langx|gd|'''Seirbheis Chùirte na h-Alba'''}} |type = | seal = |logo = [[file:Scottish_Courts_and_Tribunals_Service_logo.png|250px]] | logo_caption = |formed = {{start date and age|1995}} |jurisdiction = [[Scotland]] |headquarters = Saughton House, Broomhouse Drive, Edinburgh EH11 3XD |employees = 1,825 (2023/24)<ref>{{cite web |title=SCTS Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24 |url=https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/media/ogjfmlnz/scts-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-24.pdf |website=Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service |access-date=7 November 2025}}</ref>{{rp|49}} |budget = £129.3 million (2015-2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/docs/default-source/aboutscs/reports-and-data/reports-data/scts-annual-report-accounts---2015-16-final.pdf?sfvrsn=2|page=7|format=PDF|title=Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Annual Report and Accounts 2015-2016|publisher=Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service|date=September 2016|access-date=23 April 2017|archive-date=29 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629080747/https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/docs/default-source/aboutscs/reports-and-data/reports-data/scts-annual-report-accounts---2015-16-final.pdf?sfvrsn=2|url-status=dead}}</ref> |chief1_name = [[Colin Sutherland, Lord Carloway|Lord Carloway]] |chief1_position = Chairman |chief2_name = Eric McQueen |chief2_position = Chief Executive | chief3_name = | chief3_position = | chief4_name = | chief4_position = | chief5_name = | chief5_position = | chief6_name = | chief6_position = | chief7_name = | chief7_position = | chief8_name = | chief8_position = | chief9_name = | chief9_position = | parent_department = |child1_agency = [[Judiciary of Scotland|Judicial Office for Scotland]] |child2_agency = [[Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland)|Office of the Public Guardian]] |child3_agency = [[Office of the Accountant of Court]] |website = {{URL|http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/}} | map = Scotland in the UK and Europe.svg | map_caption = Scotland in the UK and Europe |footnotes = |agency_type=[[Non-ministerial government department]] |agency_name = Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service |logo_width = 110px }} {{CourtsScotland}} The '''Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service''' ('''SCTS''') ({{langx|gd|Seirbheis Chùirte na h-Alba}}) is an independent [[Public bodies of the Scottish Government|public body]] which is responsible for the administration of the [[Courts of Scotland|courts]] and tribunals of Scotland. The Service is led by a board which is chaired by the [[Lord President of the Court of Session]], and employs over 1000 staff members in the country's 39 [[Sheriff Court|sheriff court]]s, 34 [[Justice of the Peace Courts|justice of the peace courts]], the [[Court of Session]] and the [[High Court of Justiciary]], and at the service's headquarters in [[Edinburgh]]. The day-to-day administration of the service is the responsibility of its chief executive and executive directors. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is also responsible for providing administrative services for the [[Judicial Office for Scotland]], the [[Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland)|Office of the Public Guardian]], the [[Accountant of Court]], the Criminal Courts Rules Council, and the Scottish Civil Justice Council.
==History== The Service was first established as the ''Scottish Courts Administration'' in 1995, as an [[executive agency]] of the [[Scottish Office]]. It was later renamed ''Scottish Court Service.'' In 1999, the Service became an agency of the [[Scottish Government]] after responsibility of the [[Courts of Scotland|courts]] and [[judiciary of Scotland]] were transferred under [[History of Scottish devolution#Scottish Parliament established, May 1999|devolution]]. In common with the [[Scottish Prison Service]] in the [[Scottish criminal law|Scottish justice system]], this ''arm's length approach'' was adopted to prevent direct ministerial involvement in the administration of justice.
On 1 April 2010 it was re-established by section 60 of the [[Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008]] as an independent body corporate governed by a Corporate Board and chaired by the [[Lord President of the Court of Session|Lord President]], the head of the Scottish judiciary.<ref name="act2008">{{cite legislation Scotland|type=act|year=2008|chapter=6|act=Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008}}</ref>{{rp|Section 60}}
On 1 April 2015, under the [[Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014]], the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service assumed the responsibilities of the former Scottish Court Service and Scottish Tribunals Service.<ref name="aboutSCTS">{{cite web|url=http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/about-the-scottish-court-service/scs-news/2015/04/01/scottish-courts-and-tribunals-service|publisher=Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service|date=1 April 2015|access-date=1 April 2015|title=About the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service}}</ref><ref name="act2014">{{Cite legislation Scotland|type=act|year=2014|chapter=18|act=Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014}}</ref>
Security and maintenance of SCTS buildings are provided by Servest who are a company that provides multi functions in building management.{{Citation needed|date=June 2018}}
On 3 April 2018, the Glasgow Tribunals Centre opened to the public. The building houses all Tribunal teams based in [[Glasgow]] alongside Glasgow based teams of [[His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service]]. The building also contains bespoke hearing suites for [[His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service]] and The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/about-the-scottish-court-service/scs-news/2018/03/12/the-new-glasgow-tribunals-centre-opens-this-month | title=The New Glasgow Tribunals Centre Opens 3 April}}</ref>
==Functions== The Criminal Proceedings etc. (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2007 resulted in the unification of the administration of the Court of Session, the High Court of Justiciary, Sheriff and [[Justice of the Peace Court|Justice of the Peace]] courts.<ref name="act2007">{{Cite legislation Scotland|type=act|year=2007|chapter=6|act=Criminal Proceedings etc. (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2007}}</ref> The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has the function of providing, or ensuring the provision of, the property, services, officers and other staff required for the purposes of all these courts (by virtue of section 61(1) of the 2008 Act).<ref name="act2008" />{{rp|Section 61(1)}}
It has the responsibility of assisting the [[Scottish judiciary]] (by virtue of section 61(1)(b) of the 2008 Act), and assists the Lord President in his role as head of the Scottish judiciary (section 62 of the 2008 Act). This is coupled with assisting the Criminal Courts Rules Council and the Scottish Civil Justice Council.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
The Service is also responsible for the administration of the [[Office of the Public Guardian (Scotland)|Office of the Public Guardian]], based in Falkirk, and assists the [[Office of the Accountant of Court|Accountant of Court]] (sections 62 and 33 of the 2008 Act).{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
Another consequence of the Act was the introduction of ''Fines Enforcement Officers''. With effect from 10 March 2008 these officers, staff of SCS, will bring a more proactive approach to fines enforcement. A total of 31 members of staff will have responsibility for making sure that fines are paid on time and if offenders fall into arrears with payment those staff will use a variety of means to secure payment. Special measures that may be used will include deductions from state benefits; arrestment of wages and/or funds contained in bank accounts and seizure (and subsequent sale) of vehicles. In cases where it becomes apparent that the offender genuinely cannot pay they will be provided with contact details for other Agencies that will be able to provide guidance and help in organising the offender's finances.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/taking-action/pay-a-fine/feo-role | title=Fines Enforcement Officers role and responsibilities - Q&A | website=www.scotcourts.gov.uk | publisher=Scottish Court Service | access-date=18 April 2017}}</ref>
==Leadership and administration== ===Board=== The membership of the corporate Board of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is determined by Schedule 3 of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008, which stipulates that the following are members, ''ex officio'':<ref name="act2008" />{{rp|Schedule 3(2)}} * [[Lord President of the Court of Session|Lord President]] (''judicial member'') * [[Lord Justice Clerk]] (''judicial member'') * [[President of the Scottish Tribunals]] (''judicial member'') * Chief Executive of the Service There are a further 5 judicial members, appointed by the Lord President to a maximum term of 4 years: * One [[sheriff principal]] * Two [[Sheriff court|sheriffs]] * One [[Justice of the peace courts|justice of the peace]] * One Chamber President in the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland There are then 2 members of the legal profession, and 3 members from outside the legal system: * One [[Faculty of Advocates|Advocate]] * One [[Law Society of Scotland]] * Three lay members.
The first Scottish Court Service Board was appointed by the Lord President on 18 December 2009 <ref>[http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/courtsadmin/governance.asp Scottish Court Service - Governance]</ref> and comprises a majority of judicial officeholders and legal practitioners, by virtue of Schedule 3 to the 2008 Act. The Board formally took up responsibility on 1 April 2010 and is responsible for developing the strategic direction and operational efficiency of the Service. In September 2012, the Board put forward a document for "consultation" that, if approved, would render it in breach of its statutory duty as covered by Section 61(2) of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/fears-for-scottish-justice-system-as-11-sheriff-courts-earmarked-for-axe-1-2541267 |title=Fears for Scottish justice system as 11 sheriff courts earmarked for axe |last=Macnab |first=Scott| work=[[The Scotsman]] |date=22 September 2012 |access-date=6 July 2014}}</ref>
The response of the Scottish ministers is awaited.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
===Members of the Board=== As of 23 April 2017 the members of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Board were:
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;" |+ Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service board<ref name="board">{{cite web|title=The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Board|url=http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/about-the-scottish-court-service/the-scottish-court-service-board|website=www.scotcourts.gov.uk|publisher=Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service|access-date=23 April 2017}}</ref> |- ! Name ! Category ! Appointed ! Other information |- style="height: 50px;" | style="width: 35%;" | [[Colin Sutherland, Lord Carloway|Lord Carloway]] | style="width: 25%;" | [[Lord President of the Court of Session|Lord President]] | style="width: 15%;" | ''ex officio'' | style="width: 25%;" | Chairman of the Board |- style="height: 50px;" | [[Leeona Dorrian, Lady Dorrian|Lady Dorrian]] | [[Lord Justice Clerk]] | ''ex officio'' | |- style="height: 50px;" | [[Anne Smith, Lady Smith|Lady Smith]] | President of Scottish Tribunals | ''ex officio'' | |- style="height: 50px;" | Eric McQueen | Chief Executive | ''ex officio'' | |- style="height: 50px;" | Sheriff Principal Duncan L Murray | Judicial member | {{when|date=April 2017}} | |- style="height: 50px;" | Sheriff Iona McDonald | Judicial member | {{when|date=April 2017}} | |- style="height: 50px;" | Sheriff A Grant McCulloch | Judicial member | {{when|date=April 2017}} | |- style="height: 50px;" | Johan Findlay JP | Judicial member | {{when|date=April 2017}} | |- style="height: 50px;" | Joe Morrow QC | Judicial member | {{when|date=April 2017}} | [[Lord Lyon King of Arms]] and President of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland |- style="height: 50px;" | Kirsty J Hood | [[Faculty of Advocates|Advocate]] member | {{when|date=April 2017}} | |- style="height: 50px;" | Simon J D Cotto | [[Law Society of Scotland|Solicitor]] member | {{when|date=April 2017}} | |- style="height: 50px;" | Joseph Martin Al-Gharabally | Lay member | {{when|date=April 2017}} | |- style="height: 50px;" | Professor R Hugh MacDougall | Lay member | {{when|date=April 2017}} | |- style="height: 50px;" | Col (Ret.) John David McIlroy {{postnominals|GBR|FICE}} | Lay member | {{when|date=April 2017}} | |}
==See also== *[[Scots law]] *[[Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service]] ''(for courts and tribunals in [[England and Wales]], and United Kingdom-wide tribunals.)'' *[[Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Official website}} {{Public bodies of the Scottish Government}}{{Court of Session}} {{CourtsScotland2}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service| ]] [[Category:Courts of Scotland| ]] [[Category:1995 establishments in Scotland]] [[Category:1995 in British law]] [[Category:Government agencies established in 1995]] [[Category:Organisations based in Edinburgh]] [[Category:Non-ministerial departments of the Scottish Government]]