N.B. Please note that some courtrooms have the witness stand on the opposite side. Contact your local Witness Service for information about specific courtrooms. 
 
High Courts

In the High Courts of Scotland criminal trials are heard under solemn procedure (jury trial). Types of crime heard at the High Court include all murder and rape trials.  

Who's Who in the Court

• Judge - Judges are experienced persons in law and ensure that the law is complied with. They are full-time salaried judges appointed by the Crown. In the High Court it is a Judge that sits ‘on the bench’ (a raised platform in the courtroom). 
   
• Clerk of Court - The Clerk of Court calls the cases, records the court proceedings, and advises on court procedures.
   
  Witnesses – Witnesses can be Crown witnesses (called by the Procurator Fiscal) or defence witnesses (called by the accused, or his/her solicitor). Witnesses must not enter the courtroom until asked to do so. Your local Witness Service office will be able to give you more detailed information on being a witness, contact your local office via the Online Directory of Services. 
   
• Prosecutor - The Procurator Fiscal prepares the case against the person charged with the crime. In the High Court it is the Lord Advocate, or one of his/her deputes, who present the case. They decide on whether a case is brought to court based on the amount of evidence and whether it is in the public interest. 
   
• Defence Lawyer - Can be either an advocate or a solicitor-advocate who normally represents the accused, although they can represent themselves. If the accused pleads guilty, the defence lawyer can provide background information on their behalf. If pleading not guilty the lawyer defends the accused in court. 
   
• Jury - The jury is made up of 15 members of the public, chosen at random, to decide on the verdict based on the facts of the case (a jury is used only in trials involving solemn procedure). 
     
• Members of the Public - Most cases are open to the public 
   
• Police - In most courtrooms there will be at least one police officer.