The two main courts dealing with civil cases in Scotland are the Sheriff Court and the Court of Sessions. The Sheriff Court deals with minor civil matters, while the Court of Sessions deals with large or more complex civil disputes.

There are four main types of courts in Scotland:

• Justice of the Peace courts.
• Sheriff courts.
• The Court of Session, and.
• High Court of Justiciary.

There are 4 different types of criminal courts in Scotland: High Court. Sheriff Court. Sheriff Appeal Court.

49 sheriff courts

Two judges sit to hear an appeal against sentence, and three judges sit to hear an appeal against conviction. There is no further appeal from the High Court’s decision on appeal, in contrast to the Court of Session, from which it is possible to appeal to the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, the highest court.

The High Court of Justiciary is Scotland’s supreme criminal court. When sitting at first instance as a trial court, it hears the most serious criminal cases, such as murder and rape. A single judge hears cases with a jury of 15 people.

One of the main areas of difference is in property law and conveyancing, with Scottish solicitors having a larger hold over the housing market than their English counterparts. In fact, in Scotland, solicitors often sell the properties themselves, acting as both legal advisor and estate agent.

The earliest preserved Scottish law code is the Leges inter Brettos et Scottos, promulgated under David I (r. 1124 – 1153) and regulating Welsh and Gaelic custom. The Leges Quatuor Burgorum (‘Laws of the Four Burghs’) was promulgated sometime between 1135–57 and regulated Lothian law.

Barristers

Solicitors can represent their clients in the Sheriff Courts, Justice of the Peace Courts, tribunals and inquiries. If the case they are dealing with is in a higher court, solicitors will instruct a solicitor-advocate or an advocate to appear in court to represent their client.

Solicitor is a lawyer who gives legal advice and represent the clients in the courts. Solicitors from Scotland, are represented by the Law Society of Scotland. Barrister is a lawyer who is specialized in representing clients in the Courts. They have audience in all Courts.

As a solicitor, you’ll act on behalf of your clients, in court and throughout negotiations, as well as preparing and researching documents, letters and other paperwork. Solicitors and advocates in Scotland have very similar duties to their counterparts (solicitors and barristers) in England and Wales.

Since the Acts of Union 1707, Scotland has shared a legislature with the rest of the United Kingdom. Scotland retained a fundamentally different legal system from that of England and Wales, but the Union brought English influence on Scots law.

A barrister could give you some advice so that you could understand where you stand and what application you should make. If you need urgent advice, if you need to issue an application very quickly, or if you want to be represented at a hearing in the immediate future you should seek advice from a solicitor.

Like many uniforms, wigs are an emblem of anonymity, an attempt to distance the wearer from personal involvement and a way to visually draw on the supremacy of the law, says Newton. Wigs are so much a part of British criminal courts that if a barrister doesn’t wear a wig, it’s seen as an insult to the court.

There are a number of reasons why barristers still wear wigs. The most accepted is that it brings a sense of formality and solemnity to proceedings. By wearing a gown and wig, a barrister represents the rich history of common law and the supremacy of the law over the proceedings.

Yes, those white, curly wigs are still worn in British courtrooms, but maybe not for much longer. The courtroom dress of British judges and barristers (which is what British people call lawyers) may look straight out of the Renaissance, but the wigs and robes are more than just a chance to play dress up.

No need to worry! Since January 2008 and the making of Practice Direction (Court Dress) (No. 4) by the then Lord Chief Justice, solicitor advocates have been entitled to wear a wig in any of the circumstances in which a barrister would be allowed to wear one.

When can I make an application for higher rights of audience? You can apply for your higher courts qualification once you have been admitted and can evidence that you have passed the advocacy assessments.

These are courts in which a barrister would usually be instructed by a solicitor to advocate for their cases….This allows them to represent their clients in the following courts:

• The High Court.
• The Crown Court.
• Court of Appeal.
• The Supreme Court.

Solicitors mainly work in a law firm or as part of a company’s legal team and do not work in a courtroom. On the other hand, solicitor advocates combine the roles of barrister and solicitor to work in a law firm while also representing their clients in a court of law.

A notary public is typically a solicitor that has taken another qualification to become a notary public. There are a few notaries that are not also solicitors but this is less common. The primary function of a notary public is the certification or authentication of documents and signatures.

The following professional person or authority can certify documents:

• Notary public.
• Justice of the Peace.
• Embassy Official.
• Consulate or High Commission Officer.
• Commissioner of Oaths or equivalent.

In most cases in the UK, a notary public is a solicitor who has taken an additional qualification to become a notary public. Notaries are appointed by the Court of Faculties of the Archbishop of Canterbury and are regulated by the Master of the Faculties.

As the fees charged by Notaries in London is not fixed you can speak to different London Notary Public practices to compare prices. Expect to pay somewhere between £60 – £120 for any document notarised by a London Notary Public.

Notaries are asked to certify many different identity-related documents, such as passports, driving licences, government-issued identity cards, utility bills and bank statements. Many people are confused about what is involved when they are told to ‘notarise their passport’.