Message from the Sheriff Principal re taking of evidence of a vulnerable witness by a Commissioner in the Sheriff Court (Criminal Courts Practice Note No. 1 of 2026) - The Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019 (section 1) introduced a statutory presumption for the pre-recording of evidence of certain specified types of vulnerable witnesses in advance of trial. It was to be introduced in phases. The presumption was to be extended to child complainers a

We are delighted to highlight the reciprocal agreement between three of Scotland’s most respected legal institutions: The Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow The SSC Society Library in Edinburgh The Society of Advocates in Aberdeen This agreement represents a meaningful step forward in enhancing the value of membership across all three organisations. A Shared Commitment to Members Under this arrangement, members of each institution can enjoy reading rights and access to l

Message Received from Sheriff Principal Anwar re Summary Case Management - I write to advise you of changes to the case management hearing/continued without plea courts. These measures are designed to address “churn”. The number of continued hearings is resulting in overloaded courts which both affects the time available for case management discussions and leads to delays in these courts for all those involved. Changes to CMH/CWP courts & In-court surgery With effect fro

The Royal Faculty hopes that this year’s Glasgow Legal Walk will be bigger and better than ever. Taking place on Wednesday 30th September 2026, the annual charity event coordinated by the Access Justice Foundation encourages members and supporters of the legal community to raise money for much-needed local advice centres. The walk will be great fun, offer excellent networking opportunities, and provide the chance to learn about the city’s legal landmarks.   Date:  Wednesday 3

The Creative Side of the Law: An Arts Showcase with a Purpose Scotland’s legal profession is stepping away from the courtroom and into the creative spotlight - and they’re bringing their talents with them. On 30 April 2026, the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow will open its doors for Creativity in the Law, a special charity evening celebrating the artistic talents of lawyers from across Scotland. The event will feature a visual art exhibition, live music performances a

Wednesday, 27 May 2026 Get ready for another great day on the course — the Brodie Cup 2026 is on the horizon. This year’s tournament will take place on the afternoon of Wednesday, 27 May 2026, once again at the outstanding Pollok Golf Club. The Brodie Cup brings together colleagues from across the legal profession for an afternoon of friendly competition and good company. Whether you’re a regular player or simply enjoy a round with peers, it’s an event well worth marking in y

We’re always looking for better ways to keep our members and the wider legal community informed, connected and engaged - and we’d really value your input. Our 2026 Communications Survey is short and focused, and asks how you prefer to hear from the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow and what information you find most useful. It should only take a few minutes to complete, but your feedback will make a real difference to how we communicate going forward. The survey can be

One of the real treasures in the Faculty’s archives is its oldest Minute Book, which opens rather abruptly with the words “The Tuell of November, 1668”. There’s no grand introduction - just a practical list of names and contributions, collected to support “poore decayed breithrein and servandis” of the courts, along with their widows and children. From the very first page, it’s clear that the Faculty was about more than professional status: it was a community that looked afte

Get your CPD year off to a great start at the Royal Faculty! As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect time to plan ahead, refresh your knowledge, and connect with peers across the profession. Whether you’re working towards annual CPD requirements or simply looking to stay current with best practice, the Royal Faculty’s programme is designed to support you - with a strong mix of learning, discussion, and community. A busy and brilliant 2025 Were you at the Faculty’s events

Online Event: Wednesday 4 February at 5.00pm The Women’s Network of the Sheriffs and Summary Sheriffs’ Association is delighted to invite you to an online event on 4 February 2025 at 5pm featuring Nicola Williams, renowned author and Crown Court judge. About Nicola Williams Nicola is the author of three legal thrillers about a Black, female barrister. Without Prejudice was selected for the Black Britain: Writing Back series by Bernardine Evaristo and Until Proven Innocent wa

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 Co

GeoAmey and the Scottish Prison Service have confirmed that agents will be permitted to take laptops (not mobile phones) into the cell area for the purpose of consulting on disclosed material. The sheriff clerk has advised as follows – “GEOAmey will facilitate solicitors working under SCM to use the two bottom booths so they don’t need to be accessed from the secure custody area. If, for any reason these booths are busy or out of action, then the remaining booths can be use

Video tour of the Royal Faculty building Tucked away in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre, the Royal Faculty Building has stood since 1857 as a proud symbol of the city’s legal heritage. Designed by renowned architect Charles Wilson in the graceful Italianate style, its inspiration can be traced to the great libraries of Venice - and its beauty continues to captivate visitors nearly two centuries later. The Royal Faculty Building isn’t just a piece of Glasgow’s history - it’

A Civil Court Users Group has been established with a view to support the Sheriff Principal in the management of civil business and to create the conditions for an efficient service for court users. The RFPG will be represented on the Group by several civil court practitioners, providing a valuable channel for practitioner input into the operation of Glasgow Sheriff Court. Faculty members are warmly invited to share any comments, observations, or feedback on how civil busines

As part of Anti-Slavery Month 2025, the Tumbling Lassie Foundation is proud to partner with the University of Glasgow for a special event...

Sheriff Principal Anwar expresses her gratitude to the President of the GBA and the Dean of the Royal Faculty of Procurators, Glasgow for...

Legal practitioners are invited to take part in a legal research project being undertaken by James Campbell. This research seeks to...

Members of Glasgow's legal community walked together last night (Wednesday 24th September 2025) to raise funds for much-needed local...

Course Fee: £1,300 (including all materials & refreshments) The Trainee Continuing Professional Development (TCPD) programme is a key...

Trainee Continuing Professional Development (TCPD)  is a requirement set by the Law Society of Scotland for trainee solicitors seeking...