Step by Step Guide

The Board uses two separate processes in considering individuals for judicial office. For large appointment rounds (Sheriff and Part-time Sheriff) we use a two-sift procedure.


For smaller appointment rounds (Judge, Chairman of the Scottish Land Court and Sheriff Principal) a single sift procedure is followed. The timetable below provides a general indication of the process. Please note that the actual timetable used in a specific appointment round will be set out in the Guidance Note for Applicants and Referees.

 

Week Large Appointment Round Small Appointment Round
1 Advertisements published and interested parties informed Advertisements published and interested parties informed
4 Closing date for receipt of application forms Closing date for receipt of application forms
  n/a Referee’s assessment and consultation forms issued on receipt of application
8 Preliminary sift of Applications.  Applicants informed of Board’s decision on their application within 5 working days. Referee’s assessment and consultation forms issued Closing date for receipt of referee’s assessment and consultation forms
12 Closing date for receipt of referee’s assessment and consultation forms
Sift of Applications, referee’s assessment and consultation forms.		 Applicants informed of Board’s decision on their application within 5 working days.
14 n/a Interview Panels
16 Second sift of Applications.  Applicants informed of Board’s decision on their application within 5 working days. Board’s decision on recommendation(s) to the Scottish Ministers
19 Interview Panels n/a
20 Interview Panels n/a
22 Board’s decision on pool of individual suitable for appointments n/a

 

Vacancies

View details of current and forthcoming appointment rounds. Find out more.