The Council prepares draft rules of procedure for the civil courts and advises the Lord President on the development of the civil justice system in Scotland.

Joined October 2015
2 Photos and videos
24 Oct 2025
Call for Evidence on Group Procedure. The Scottish Civil Justice Council is gathering views to shape the development of efficient and effective court procedures on group proceedings. Find out more here - bit.ly/3Wmn9zs

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29 Sep 2025
The SCJC's Access to Justice Committee has published a Call for Evidence on Modes of Attendance. We wish to hear from anyone who is willing to take the time to respond and provide us with their views. Further in formation can be found on our website scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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18 Aug 2025
The Scottish Civil Justice Council has today issued a public consultation on proposals that would allow a party to request costs protection against an adverse award of expenses in a sheriff court environmental action. Visit the consultation page of our website to find out more.
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18 Aug 2025
The Lord President is seeking to appoint an advocate member to join the Council. Visit the Council Recruitment page on our website for more information.
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30 Jun 2025
The Council’s Annual Report has been published together with the Annual Programme of Work for 2025/2026, which details how the priorities for the next reporting year will be delivered. For more detailed information and to view the full report, visit the SCJC website.
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21 Nov 2024
SCJC Public Consultation on simplified procedures for divorce and dissolution. This consultation will be open for twelve weeks. Written responses are invited by Friday 14 February 2025. Visit the SCJC website for further info on how to respond.
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21 Nov 2024
SCJC Public Consultation on Online Intimation to replace the walls of court. Feedback is welcomed from anyone with a view on the proposed changes, with a closing date for responses of 31 January 2025. Visit the SCJC website for further info on how to respond.
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22 Jul 2024
New solicitor member appointed to the Personal Injury Committee. Gordon Dalyell was appointed on 09 July 2024. Read more here - scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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2 Jul 2024
Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session 1994 and Sheriff Appeal Court Rules 2021 Amendment) (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024) 2024 was made by the court on 27 June and comes into force on 16 July 2024.
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2 Jul 2024
Amendments have been made to the 2018 Protective Expenses Order Rules. Read more here - Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session 1994 Amendment) (Protective Expenses Orders) 2024 (scottishciviljusticecouncil.…)

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4 Oct 2023
New Sheriff Member Appointed to Council. Sheriff Frances McCartney was appointed on 27 September for a period of three years. Read more here -scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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5 Sep 2023
New Sheriff Principal member appointed to the Access to Justice Committee - read more here: scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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20 Jun 2023
Annual Report and Annual Programme published. Seven sets of draft rules prepared by SCJC given legal effect during 2022/23 reporting period. Full report can be found here - scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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2 Jun 2023
Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session 1994 and Ordinary Cause Rules 1993 Amendment) (Attendance at Hearings) 2023 comes in to force on 3 July 2023. Read more here - scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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1 Jun 2023
Act of Sederunt (Fees of Solicitors in the Court of Session, Sheriff Appeal Court and Sheriff Court) (Taxation of Judicial Expenses Rules) (Amendment) 2023 was made by the court on 30 May 2023 and comes into force on 30 June 2023. Read more here -scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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17 May 2023
Two new members have been appointed to the Costs & Funding Committee. Both appointments will run for a period of three years, from 26 April 2023. Read more - scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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3 May 2023
New Advocate Member Appointed to the SCJC. Read more here - scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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24 Apr 2023
Minutes from the Rules Rewrite Committee meeting held 27 March 2023 are now available. Read more here: scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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4 Apr 2023
21 March 2023 - Costs and Funding Committee Minutes Available (scottishciviljusticecouncil.…)

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22 Feb 2023
Three new members have been appointed to the Scottish Civil Justice Council. Read more here - scottishciviljusticecouncil.…

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