High Court
Scottish Courts and Tribunals define the High Court of Justiciary as Scotland’s supreme criminal court. This court hears the most serious criminal cases, such as murder and rape. A single judge hears cases with a jury of 15 people. You can find more information here.
The most recent data shows that at the end of the 2024/25 period there were 991 indictments concluded, compared with 996 in 2023/24. Trials scheduled at the end of 2024/25 was 743. This was 693 in 2023/24. You can find more information here.
Practice Notes are issued by the Lord Justice General, Scotland’s most senior judge, in respect of criminal courts. They inform practitioners of the practice that the court expects them to take. These practice notes can be found here.
Scottish Court and Tribunal Service publications, including Corporate, Court and Court Users and People documents are available here for further information.