Guides / Scotland

Simple procedure and sheriff court: how to organise your case papers (Scotland)

Scottish terms throughout: pursuer and defender, interlocutors, productions and inventory of productions. Here is a practical way to organise your papers so you, the other side and the judge can find everything quickly.

The quick version

Keep every document in one binder, split into the sections below.
Write down every date and deadline the moment you get it.
Give each piece of evidence a reference and use it everywhere.
Number the pages and keep an up-to-date index at the front.

Get the ready-made Scotland binder on Etsy, or build a personalised sample online.

Dates and deadlines to track

Claim or writ served
Response or defences due
Productions / list of evidence due
List of witnesses due
Case management discussion
Hearing or proof date

Always use the exact dates in your court or tribunal letters and orders. Count working days with our free working days calculator.

How to section your binder

Section A: Case summary & issues

A brief overview of the case and the key issues in dispute.

What to file: Case reference numbers; Names of the parties; Short summary of what the case is about; List of the main issues the court or tribunal is being asked to decide.

Section B: Claim, response & pleadings

Formal documents setting out each party's case.

What to file: Simple procedure Claim Form (Form 3A) and Response Form (Form 4A); Initial writ or summons and defences; Adjustments and the record; Tribunal application and written representations.

Section C: Chronology

A timeline of key events relevant to the dispute.

What to file: Chronology table (date, event, party, production number); Any updated versions of the chronology.

Section D: Interlocutors, orders & directions

Formal decisions and instructions issued by the court or tribunal.

What to file: Interlocutors and orders; Case management discussion outcomes; Tribunal directions and notes; Hearing and proof notices.

Section E: Productions (evidence)

Documents and items lodged as evidence.

What to file: Inventory of productions; Letters, emails and messages; Contracts, invoices and receipts; Photographs and other documents.

Section F: Witnesses

Details of witnesses and any written statements.

What to file: List of witnesses (in simple procedure, Form 11A); Witness statements, where ordered or allowed; Contact details and availability.

Section G: Correspondence

Communications relating to the dispute.

What to file: Letters and emails exchanged between parties; Correspondence with the court or tribunal.

Section H: Expenses, fees & sums claimed

Financial information relevant to the case.

What to file: Court or tribunal fees paid; Records of expenses; Calculation of the sum sued for or claimed.

Section I: Hearing notes

Preparation and notes for case management discussions, hearings and proofs.

What to file: Key points to raise; Questions for witnesses; Notes taken during hearings.

What this binder is for

Case Ready is a document organisation and preparation tool that helps you present your case materials clearly. This edition is designed with reference to court and tribunal procedure in Scotland.

Organise documents logically
Keep productions in order
Prepare for hearings and deadlines

What this binder is not

Case Ready:

Does not provide legal advice
Does not tell you what arguments to make
Does not guarantee any outcome

If you need legal advice, speak to a solicitor or an advice agency.

Scottish terms used in this binder

Pursuer and defender: the parties in an ordinary action. In simple procedure and most tribunals they are the claimant or applicant and the respondent.
Interlocutor: a formal order of the court.
Productions: documents and items lodged as evidence, listed in an inventory of productions.
Proof: a hearing where evidence is heard.
Expenses: the Scottish term for legal costs.

Key timings in published guidance

Simple procedure: send the List of Evidence Form (Form 10A) to the court and the other party, and lodge your documents, at least 2 weeks before the hearing.
Housing and Property Chamber: send a list of documents with copies, and a list of witnesses, at least 7 days before the hearing.
The dates in your own orders and directions always take priority.

Productions & referencing

Number each production (for example 5/1, 5/2), page-number it and list it in an inventory of productions. Some courts ask for the production number and case reference in the top right-hand corner. Refer to productions by number in your chronology and notes.

Hearings & practicalities

On the day of a hearing:

Bring the copies you have been asked for
Keep this binder accessible
Use it to find documents quickly

Sheriffs, tribunal members and court staff expect parties to be organised and to follow procedure.

Who this is for

Case Ready Scotland is suitable for organising papers in simple procedure claims, Housing and Property Chamber applications, employment tribunals and mediation. It is not designed for complex ordinary actions without legal representation.

Employment tribunals in Scotland

Employment tribunals in Scotland use the same procedure rules as England and Wales, with their own Presidential guidance. Follow your case management orders.

Before your hearing

Documents are filed in the right sections
Productions are numbered and listed in an inventory
Pages are numbered
The chronology is clear and up to date
Interlocutors and deadlines are recorded
Documents are in date order unless directed otherwise
Confidential material is kept separate
Copies are ready for the court and the other side
The binder is easy to navigate quickly

Save time with Case Ready

Case Ready is a printable, fillable case binder for Scotland: front sheet, dividers, key dates sheet, evidence index and more, with your case details on every page. Type into it on screen or print it at home.

See Case Ready on Etsy | Try the online builder

This binder is a general organisational aid. Procedure varies by court, tribunal and case type. You are responsible for following the rules, interlocutors and directions that apply in your case. Nothing in this binder is legal advice.