The passing of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (the ‘2014 Act’) last year heralded a major overhaul of the system of civil justice in Scotland.

The reforms will be implemented in tranches over the next year, with the first set of reforms coming into effect from 22 September 2015. These included:

1. Actions for a value up to £100,000 must now be raised in the Sheriff Courts. 

2. A new three-month time limit for raising judicial reviews.

3. The new Scottish Personal Injury Court opened in Edinburgh.

4. The new Sheriff Appeal Court began hearing summary criminal appeals.

5. Appeals to the Supreme Court may now only be made with leave of the Inner House or the Supreme Court.

Later in 2016 we will also see:

1. The Sheriff Appeal Court hearing civil appeals from the Sheriff Courts in January.

2. Permission of the Sheriff Appeal Court or the Court of Session will be required to appeal from the Sheriff Appeal Court to the Court of Session. 

3. The introduction of Summary Sheriffs to hear low value civil cases.

4. The introduction of a new ‘Simple Procedure’ for actions of £5,000 or less.

These reforms aim to create a civil justice system in Scotland that is more modern and efficient. Whilst practitioners have broadly welcomed the reforms, some reforms, such as the increase in the exclusive competence of the Sheriff Courts, have been controversial. Ultimately, only time will tell if the reforms are able to meet their stated aims.