4. Making a complaint about a sheriff officer

You should write to the firm that employs the sheriff officer if you believe that they have:

•behaved in an unreasonable or disreputable way; or
•exceeded their powers.

If you are not happy with the firm’s response or do not want to complain to the firm directly, you can write to the sheriff principal. They can be contacted through the sheriff clerk at your local sheriff court.

You can find detals of your local sheriff court on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website.1scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/sheriff-court/find-a-court

You can also complain to the Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers.2smaso.org.uk It has its own disciplinary procedures but often handles complaints from the sheriff principal’s office. Its address is Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers, Forth House, 28 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BW (telephone: 0131 292 0321).

 

1     scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/sheriff-court/find-a-court »

2     smaso.org.uk »