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What Do The Terms Mean
Home > Services > Council and Government > District Court > Court Procedures
This short guide has been designed to help you understand the terms used on the District Court web pages.
| Terms Used | Explanation |
| Cited Pleading Diets | This is the first time your case will call in Court. This is when you plead 'guilty' or 'not guilty' to the charge against you. If you plead 'guilty' you will be sentenced by the Justice. If you plead 'not guilty' you will be given two dates to return to court.These are known as the intermediate diet and trial diet and are explained below . |
| Custodies | If you are arrested and detained by the Police for a crime or they have a warrant for your arrest, you will be brought before the Court on the next day (except on public holidays or weekends). |
| Intermediate Diets | You will have been given a date by the Court when you pled 'not guilty' to return for this diet. This is when the Court checks with both you and the Procurator Fiscal if you are ready for your trial. |
| Lay Justice | Justices of the Peace do not have any legal qualifications .They are members of the local community. However prior to hearing cases in court they do undergo legal training. They are also assisted by a legal assessor who is a solicitor who advises on legal procedure. |
| Means Enquiry | If you do not pay your fine you will be called back to Court to explain why you have not paid it. |
| Totting up | If the live points on your driving licence add up to 12 or more then you can be disqualified from driving. |
| Trial Diets | This is the occasion when the Procurator Fiscal will try to establish your guilt by leading evidence from witnesses If you want to do so you will also be given the opportunity to lead your own evidence. |
