Addressing a Judge
Want to know how to address a judge in court or in writing?
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Senior Judges
The title of Scotland’s most senior judge reflects his or her position as head of both the civil courts (Lord President) and the criminal courts (Lord Justice General). He or she, as Lord President, is also the head of the judiciary. On appointment to the Bench, he or she is given a judicial title, then he or she will be known as Lord President and Lord Justice General on taking these offices. The Lord President is a Privy Counsellor and may be a Peer.
| The Lord President |
In Correspondence |
Dear... |
In Court |
| Civil (If a Peer) |
The Right Honourable The Lord Smith Lord President of the Court of Session |
Lord President |
My Lord |
| Criminal (If a Peer) |
The Right Honourable The Lord Smith Lord Justice General of Scotland |
Lord Justice General |
My Lord |
| If not a Peer |
The Right Honourable Lord Smith Lord President of the Court of Session / Lord Justice General of Scotland |
Lord President
|
My Lord |
The Lord Justice Clerk also receives a judicial title on appointment as a judge, but like the Lord President, he or she is always described by his or her office. The Lord Justice Clerk will also be a Privy Counsellor, and may be a Peer.
| The Lord Justice Clerk |
In Correspondence |
Dear... |
In Court |
| If not a Peer |
The Right Honourable Lord Smith Lord Justice Clerk |
Lord Justice Clerk |
My Lord |
| If a Peer |
The Right Honourable The Lord Smith Lord Justice Clerk |
Lord Justice Clerk |
My Lord |
Senators of the College of Justice
Judges of the Court of Session (the supreme civil court), who are also the judges of the High Court of Justiciary (the supreme criminal court), are appointed by HM The Queen as Senators of the College of Justice. On appointment, a senator will take a judicial title by which he or she will be known both in office and on retirement. The courtesy style of “Lord” or “Lady” should be distinguished from a peerage title, but some judges are in fact Peers. Judges of the Outer House of the Court of Session will have the prefix “Honourable” to their title. Judges of the Inner House will be Privy Counsellors, conferring on them the prefix “Right Honourable”. The Chairman of the Scottish Land Court is addressed in the same way as a judge of the Court of Session.
| Office/ Position |
In Correspondence |
Dear... |
In Court |
| When not a Privy Counsellor |
The Honourable Lord/Lady Smith |
Lord/Lady Smith |
My Lord/Lady |
| Privy Counsellor |
The Right Honourable Lord/Lady Smith |
Lord/Lady Smith |
My Lord/Lady |
| Privy Counsellor and Peer |
The Right Honourable The Lord/Lady Smith |
Lord/Lady Smith |
My Lord/Lady |
Sheriffs Principal and Sheriffs
| Office |
In Correspondence |
Dear... |
In Court |
| Sheriff Principal |
Sheriff Principal Smith
(QC should be added where applicable) |
Sheriff Principal Smith |
My Lord/Lady |
| Sheriff |
Sheriff Smith (QC) |
Sheriff Smith |
My Lord/Lady |
Stipendiary Magistrates and Justices of the Peace
| Office |
In Correspondence |
In Court |
| Stipendiary Magistrates and Justices of the Peace |
No judicial title (simply Mr/Mrs/Miss etc.) |
Your Honour |
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