Are you looking for the chance to contribute to the effective delivery of justice in Scotland?
The Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS) is seeking applications from experienced legal professionals for appointment as a Sheriff in the Judiciary of Scotland. Sheriffs play a vital role in delivering fair, timely and accessible justice in communities across Scotland and undertake some of the most important judicial work within the Scottish courts system.
As a Sheriff, you will preside over a wide range of criminal and civil business, making decisions that have a significant impact on individuals, families and communities. The role requires sound judgment, independence, integrity and a commitment to upholding the rule of law.
To support this competition, Judicial Office for Scotland have produced a role profile . JABS have also produced a guidance note to assist applicants. We have also produced a number of information videos to provide applicants with more information about the competition and the role of sheriff.
We recommend, as part of your preparation, reading the information available on the JABS website about the office of sheriff, and about the application process.
Eligibility
A person is eligible for appointment as a Sheriff if they are:
- A solicitor or an advocate and have been so qualified throughout the period of 10 years immediately preceding the appointment; or
- Immediately before appointment have held office as a Sheriff Principal, Summary Sheriff, Part-time Sheriff or Part-time Summary Sheriff.
Applicants should ensure that they fully satisfy the eligibility requirements set out in section 14 of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014.
There are 22 vacancies for both resident and floating posts in all sheriffdoms. Applicants will be invited to indicate, as part of the application process, the vacancies for which to be considered for and those which they do not.
Glasgow and Strathkelvin
| Base Court | Number of Vacancies | Type | Details |
| Glasgow Sheriff Court | 3 | Resident | The post holders will be expected to have a civil background, commercial law would be desirable. Post holders will be expected to cover all areas of business (criminal and civil). |
Grampian, Highland and Islands
| Base Court | Number of Vacancies | Type | Details |
| Aberdeen Sheriff Court | 2 | Floating | The post holders will be expected to cover all areas of business. A background in civil practice including family law would be desirable. |
| Aberdeen Sheriff Court | 3 | Resident | The post holders will be expected to cover all areas of business. A background in civil practice including family law would be desirable. |
Edinburgh and Borders
| Base Court | Number of Vacancies | Type | Details |
| Edinburgh Sheriff Court | 1 | Floating | The post holder will cover all areas of business. |
| Livingston Sheriff Court | 1 | Floating | The post holder will be expected to cover all areas of business and in particular a civil law would be desirable. |
| Selkirk & Jedburgh Sheriff Courts | 1 | Resident | The post holder will cover all areas of business. |
| TBD | 1 | Floating | The Sheriff Principal will agree the base court with the candidate. The post holder will be expected to cover all areas of business. A background in civil practice, in particular family law, would be desirable. |
North Strathclyde
| Base Court | Number of Vacancies | Type | Details |
| TBD | 1 | Floating | The Sheriff Principal will agree the base court with the candidate. The post holder will be expected to cover all areas of business. |
| TBD | 1 | Floating | The Sheriff Principal will agree the base court with the candidate. The post holder will be expected to have a civil background and in particular family law would be desirable. |
South Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway
| Base Court | Number of Vacancies | Type | Details |
| Airdrie Sheriff Court | 1 | Resident | The Sheriff Principal will agree the base court with the candidate. The post holder will be expected to cover all areas of business. |
| TBD | 2 | Floating | The Sheriff Principal will agree the base court with the candidates. The post holders will be expected to cover all areas of business. |
Tayside, Central and Fife
| Base Court | Number of Vacancies | Type | Details |
| TBD | 1 | Floating | The Sheriff Principal will agree the base court with the candidate. The post holder will be expected to cover all areas of business. |
| Forfar Sheriff Court | 1 | Resident | The post holder will be expected to cover all areas of business. |
| Dundee Sheriff Court | 1 | Resident | The post holder will be expected to cover all areas of business. |
| TBD | 2 | Floating | The Sheriff Principal will agree the base court with the candidates. The post holders will be expected to cover all areas of business but will primarily be used to cover business in Perth and Kirkcaldy Sheriff Courts. |
Vacancy and Residency Requirements
If appointed, you will be expected to remain in post for five years for resident posts, and two years for floating posts.
There is an expectation that those appointed reside within a one hour journey of their base court.
Additional Vacancies
A small number of additional vacancies may arise during the course of the competition. The application form will give applicants the opportunity to indicate sheriffdoms and courts for which they would accept recommendations for any vacancies not mentioned above.
Salary and Benefits
- Salary of £179,939 per annum.
- Membership of the Judicial Pension Scheme 2022.
- Seven weeks' annual leave.
- Mandatory retirement age of 75.
- Comprehensive induction, training and wellbeing support.
Competition Timetable
We anticipate the key milestones for this competition to be as follows:
| Date | Milestone |
| 6 November 2026 | Application window opens. |
| 2 December 2026 | Application window closes at noon. |
| 2 December 2026 - 22 February 2027 | Shortlisting period. |
| w/c 22 February 2027 | Shortlisting decision meeting. |
| 29 March 2027 - 24 May 2027 | Interview period. |
| w/c 7 June 2027 | Final decision meeting. |
| TBC July 2027 | Recommendation report sent to the Scottish Government |
| TBC July 2027 | Interview outcome letters issued. |
Further Information
Further information to support applicants can be found in the guidance note and role profile (provided by the Judicial Office for Scotland) below. To compliment the guidance note, applicants are encouraged to view a series of videos featuring JABS panel members, sheriffs principal and sitting sheriffs, providing insight into the role, the application process and the qualities sought in successful candidates.
We have also produced a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. If you have any questions not covered by this, please contact us. Responses which may be helpful to other applicants will be added to the FAQ.
How to Apply
We encourage applications from people from a wide and diverse range of backgrounds. The principles of fair and open competition will apply and recommendations for appointment will be made solely on merit.
If you have the skills, experience and commitment required to undertake this important judicial office, we strongly encourage you to apply.
To apply, visit the JABS online application portal. The deadline for applications will be Noon on Wednesday 2 December 2026. Late applications are generally not accepted, please see the late application policy for further information.
It is expected that the successful candidates will be appointed in October 2027 when they will commence the induction process with the Judicial Institute.
