Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service definition

What does Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service mean? In practice, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) runs the day-to-day administration of Scotland’s courts and devolved tribunals, supporting judges, tribunal members and users. Its functions are set out in legislation (principally the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008, with tribunal responsibilities provided under the Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014). It operates as an independent statutory body governed by a board chaired by the Lord President, helping to safeguard judicial independence. SCTS provides staffing, estate and security management, IT and digital services, case registration and listing, courtroom support and records management. It publishes forms and operational guidance and administers payment of...

Scotland: investigation and prosecution of crime—agencies, COPFS decision-making, summary and solemn procedure, 2025 court modernisation and 2026 abolition of the not proven verdict

Published by a LexisNexis Corporate Crime expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note provides an overview of the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences in Scotland

Related practice notes you may find useful include:

The investigation and prosecution of financial crime in Scotland—outlines the principal law enforcement and prosecutorial bodies engaged in this sphere and considers how they work together and with equivalent organisations operating elsewhere in the UK
Prosecution process for health and safety cases in Scotland—offers guidance on investigations into health and safety incidents in Scotland and the procedural steps for prosecuting such offences
Comparison of criminal fraud in Scotland with England and Wales—provides guidance on the investigation and prosecution of criminal fraud

The system for investigating and prosecuting crime in Scotland is presently governed by the common law and by statute. The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (CP(S)A 1995) sets out the Rules directing how criminal cases progress through the Scottish courts. Under CP(S)A 1995, there are two distinct first‑instance routes for prosecuting crime: Solemn procedure and summary procedure. Each route has its own framework and rules, though there are points of overlap and interaction in practice across the courts...

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Wendy Culross

Faculty of Advocates, Optimum Advocates

Since calling to the Scottish bar in 2013 Wendy has been involved in a number of large and complex trials. She has a particular interest in Health and Safety cases following an involvement in a number of such cases while a procurator fiscal depute and deals with breaches following HSE investigations, as well as technical breaches of regulations, and cases arising from Local Authority and police investigations.Wendy represents clients at all levels of criminal case, including enjoying a busy appellate practice. She deals with criminal trials and appeals; as well as frequently representing clients in debates on preliminary issues and pleas in bar of trial. Wendy’s technical knowledge is renowned, and she is often approached for her expertise in complex and unusual issues, given her ability to analyse cases forensically and engage with innovative solutions.Wendy has been at the forefront of the...

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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