Court of Session
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The Court of Session is the highest national court of Scotland in relation to civil cases. The court was established in 1532 to take on the judicial functions of the royal council. Its jurisdiction ov
Parliament House, Edinburgh which houses the Court of Session
Sitting of five judges of the Court of Session (dressed in red on the right, two out of picture), not hearing a case but rather administering the oath of allegiance to a new First Minister for Scotland
Parliament House, Edinburgh, in Parliament Square, houses the Court of Session
First Minister Humza Yousaf takes the Oath of Allegiance in the presence of the Lord Advocate, the chief legal officer of the Scottish Government and the Crown in Scotland.
Scots law
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Scots law is the legal system of Scotland. It is a hybrid or mixed legal system containing civil law and common law elements, that traces its roots to a number of different historical sources. Togethe
Court of Session
…Scotland’s independence and established the Kingdom of Great Britain on 1 May 1707 provided that the court will "remain in all time coming" as part of Scotland's separate legal system. Cases at first instance are heard in the Outer House by a single judge. The Inner House hears appeals from the Outer House and all other courts and…
The Regiam Majestatem is the oldest surviving written digest of Scots law.
Sir James Dalrymple, Viscount of Stair
Ruth Charteris Lord Advocate since 2026