Going to Court
You may have to attend court for a number of different reasons. You may be taking someone to court yourself, perhaps because they owe you money or you may have been asked to attend court as a witness for someone else.
Perhaps someone else is taking you to court because you owe them money. You may have been called to sit on a Jury (usually in Criminal Cases – this is rare in Civil Cases).
No matter what the circumstances are, you are likely to feel anxious about court processes and what will happen when you are there.
Some Courts run an In-Court Advice Service who may be able to help you. You may also be able to access mediation services if you attend court in Edinburgh.
The following links take you to other sources of information which may help you to understand the processes:
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Witnesses in Scotland is a Scottish Government funded website which has been developed in liaison with practitioners who work with children, young people and adult witnesses in Scotland. It will be useful to anyone who has been asked to be a witness in criminal proceedings or childrens hearing court proceedings. -
Scottish Courts Home Page
From here you can access information about the different types of court in Scotland and other information . You cango directly to the pages of the website where you can access publications including advice on small claims and summary cause claims in the Sheriff Court and what to do if you have to go to court.
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Shelter's Advice Online Service This section of Shelter Advice Online website explains the Scottish legal system, alternatives to court action, legal representation and what happens at court.
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Mini Trial
This site was developed to help schools find out more about the Scottish legal system. You can visit an interactive court scene, Read some of the 'papers' for an assault trial or follow links to find out more about the people and processes. You can download a free copy of the latest Mini Trial Starter Pack. And use the materials to organise your own MiniTrial.
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Being a Witness: Going to Court
This booklet is for adult witnesses who may be called to give evidence in a court case. Nobody finds it easy to do something for the first time and you may be anxious about being a witness. This booklet will help answer some of the questions you may have and will help you understand what happens at court. The booklet will also tell you who can help you and what support may be available to you as a witness.
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Being a Witness: A Booklet for Children in Children's Hearing Court Proceedings
This booklet has been prepared for children to help them understand, what happens at court, who will be at court, who can help when they are a witness.
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Victim Support Scotland: Going to Court
This leaflet tells you how to get helpful information and support and is aimed at all witnesses and victims going to court.
- In-court Advice Service page