The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS) is pleased to announce, that in February 2026, it plans to launch a competition to recommend suitably qualified individuals for appointment to the office of Sheriff, for four remote roles across Scotland. 1 x 0.5 FTE vacancy and 3 x full time vacancies. This is an important opportunity to contribute to justice in Scotland.
The vacancies include, two posts at Dumfries Sheriff Court, one post at Campbeltown & Oban Sheriff Court and one post for a 0.5 FTE at Lerwick Sheriff Court.
In light of this, we have published a short introductory video on the JABS YouTube channel.
Further videos will be posted ahead of the competition launch which will give further information on the roles and the JABS application and interview process. This will be available on the JABS YouTube channel.
If you would like to ask a question on any of the roles or the JABS application or interview process, you can do by emailing mailbox@jabs.gov.scot.
Questions will be anonymised and answered in the Outreach videos as well as being published on our website.
The Board is committed to an open and fair process where recommendation is made on merit.
Further details, including key dates, will be published in due course on the JABS website and through JABS social media channels. Potential applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and start to prepare now to participate in this important and challenging process.
Eligibility for the office of Sheriff is as follows:
The eligibility for the Office of Sheriff is set out in section 14 of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and is noted below.
(1) An individual is qualified for appointment to a judicial office mentioned in subsection (2) if the individual —
(a) immediately before the appointment, held any other judicial office specified in that subsection, or
(b) at the time of appointment—
(i) is legally qualified, and
(ii) has been so qualified throughout the period of 10 years immediately preceding the appointment.
(2) The judicial offices are—
(a) Sheriff principal, (b) Sheriff, (c) summary Sheriff, (d) part-time Sheriff, (e) part-time summary Sheriff.
The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland is committed to upholding high standards in judicial appointments and supporting the effective administration of justice in Scotland by working to ensure recommendations made are of the highest quality.
For enquiries, please contact: mailbox@jabs.gov.scot.