Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Summary criminal procedure definition

What does Summary criminal procedure mean? In practice, summary criminal procedure describes the non‑jury process for prosecuting less serious criminal offences in the lower criminal courts. It is a descriptive expression rather than a single statutory definition in England & Wales and Northern Ireland, though the magistrates’ courts and summary offences legislation set the framework. In Scotland, “summary procedure” is provided for by the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, and in Ireland the District Court’s summary jurisdiction is governed by statute. Summary cases are heard without a jury by magistrates or a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts) in England & Wales and Northern Ireland; by a sheriff sitting...

Scottish Summary Criminal Procedure: Complaints, Time Limits, Pleas, Diets, Disclosure and 2025 Reforms

Published by a LexisNexis Corporate Crime expert

Practice notes

$imgtext$

This Practice Note outlines how summary procedure operates in Scottish criminal proceedings and should be read alongside the Scottish Summary criminal procedure—flowchart. For an account of the investigation and prosecution process in Scotland, see Practice Note: The investigation and prosecution of criminal offences in Scotland. Guidance on appeal routes in summary cases is provided in Practice Note: Scottish criminal appeals—summary procedure.

Lower-level offences in Scotland proceed on a summary complaint. The Rules for summary procedure are set out in Part IX of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (CP(S)A 1995) (sections 133–194). For resources on Solemn procedure, see Practice Notes: Solemn procedure in Scottish criminal proceedings and Trials under the Scottish solemn procedure, together with the Scottish solemn criminal procedure—flowchart.

Practitioners should have regard to Criminal Courts Practice Note No 1 of 2025: Summary Case Management, which has been introduced to enhance efficiency at the summary level.

Update effective 1 December 2025: modernisation of criminal court procedure

Several permanent reforms have been made by the Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Act 2025, replacing earlier temporary measures adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Practitioners should ensure all procedural references...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...