Scots law is developed and interpreted by the courts of Scotland, particularly the supreme courts. Most civil law disputes will be resolved by the lower courts or tribunals. A great number of disputes are resolved extrajudicially. Scots law provides for the binding settlement of civil disputes, including through voluntary mediation, and arbitration. An increasing number of ombudsmen and other authorities have the authority to resolve disputes. The Procurator Fiscal Service obviates the criminal courts in many cases through the use of fiscal fines and other alternatives to prosecution. While most prosecutions will result in a plea of guilty, accused persons must still appear in court to plead guilty and for sentencing. All bail proceedings in Scotland are heard in the sheriff courts, regardless of the court in which the accused might eventually be prosecuted.
The European Court of Human Rights is not related to the European Union and continues to have jurisdiction to hear cases from Scotland, but its powers are essentially advisory.
The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is, in practice, a court of the United Kingdom. The jurisdiction it held from 2005 until 2009 over devolution disputes has been transferred to the UK Supreme Court. It continues to have jurisdiction over disputes arising around Scottish constituencies under the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975.
Some Sheriff courts in Scotland also operate as a Justice of the Peace Court. Such courts, which serve as both a Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court is noted below:
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