Trial by jury in Scotland
Trial by jury in Scotland is used in the courts of Scotland in solemn procedure for trial on indictment before a judge and jury for serious criminal cases, and in certain civil cases.
Current system
Criminal procedure in Scotland is generally regulated by the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and various Acts of Adjournal passed by the High Court of Justiciary, with some significant amendments by the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025. Juries in these cases consist of 15 people; if jurors drop out e.g. because of illness the trial can continue with a minimum of 12 jurors. The jury has a choice of two verdicts: guilty or not guilty. A guilty verdict requires a two-thirds majority i.e. a minimum of ten jurors with a full jury, dropping if the size of the jury drops. Failure to reach the majority for a guilty verdict is treated as a verdict of not guilty, so it is not possible to have a hung jury.In civil trials there is a jury of 12 people, and it is possible to have a hung jury.
The pool of potential jurors is chosen purely at random, and Scottish courts have set themselves against any form of jury vetting.
History
During World War II the Administration of Justice (Emergency Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1939 provided that both civil and criminal juries would have seven members, of whom two would be special members, except for trials for treason or murder, or where a case in the High Court of Justiciary required the regular jury of fifteen on the "gravity of matters in issue".Before 2026 there was the not proven verdict, and verdicts in criminal trials could be reached by simple majority.
in the past some people were executed on majority verdicts in Scotland, such as Susan Newell, who had one juror dissenting.
Eligibility
The rules of eligibility for jury service are broadly similar to England, but people with legal experience are excluded, as are those who have been involved in the justice system, including, but not limited to, police officers, medical forensic practitioners and coroners, and prison officers.Those who meet all of the following criteria are eligible for jury service:
- British, Irish, Commonwealth and European Union citizens on the Electoral Register;
- aged 18 or over;
- ordinarily resident in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for any period of at least 5 years since the age of 13; and
- not disqualified for whatever reason.
- members of the judiciary, including sheriffs and JPs;
- court staff;
- lawyers and their clerks and trainees;
- police, including anyone with police powers, and inspectors of constabulary;
- prison officers;
- procurators fiscal;
- members of the Parole Board for Scotland;
- members and employees of the Scottish Police Services Authority;
- anyone who has been one of these things in the last 5 years;
- members and employees of the Scottish Criminal Case Review Commission;
- chief officers of community justice authorities;
- people detained in hospital or subject to guardianship for mental health reasons.
- members and officers of either House of Parliament, Scottish Parliament or Executive, junior Scottish ministers, and members of the Senedd;
- the Auditor General for Scotland;
- registered and practising medical and veterinary practitioners, including pharmacists;
- practising members of a religious society or order whose beliefs are incompatible with jury service;
- persons in a holy order;
- regular ministers of religion and members of religious communities;
- members of the armed forces ;
- anyone who was summoned for jury service—
- * in the last two years but was not selected by ballot to sit as a juror, or
- * in the last five years and was selected;
- anyone who has been excused from jury service by any court for a term that has not yet expired;
- anyone aged 71 or over.