Scotland

As in other countries, the judge or sheriff sits on the bench. Directly below the bench is the clerk's station which usually has a computer to allow the clerk to get on with Court Disposal work during proceedings.

Directly in front of the clerk is the well of court which has a semi-circular table at which all the advocates sit during proceedings. The Procurator Fiscal or Advocate Depute [17]always sits in the seat at the right of the clerk during criminal proceedings.

Behind the well of the court is the dock in which the accused will sit during proceedings. Dependent on the style of the courtroom, the jury box will either be on the right or left hand side of the well of the court. Scotland is unique in the western world in that it has 15 jurors.

Usually to the right or left of the bench slightly raised and facing forward is the stand where any witness who is called will give evidence. The stand is designed so that any solicitor examining a witness as well as the judge/sheriff may get a good view of the testimony. At the far side of the courtroom directly opposite the jury box and behind the stand are seats for journalists who are attached to the court and the court social worker. Seats for members of the public are the back of the courtroom.

There is no court reporter in Scotland, normal summary cases are simply minuted by the clerk indicating the disposal. If the case is a solemn (more serious) case involving a jury or if the case has a sexual element then proceedings will be tape recorded which is done under the supervision of the clerk.

 

Exercises

Find equivalents of the following.

Судейская скамья, Председатель Верховного суда США, секретарь суда, стенограф суда, судебный пристав, барьер, истец, ответчик, адвокат(3), скамья присяжных, суд присяжных, присяжный судья, сотрудники суда, стороны дела, оспаривать дело в суде,

свидетели, состязательные суды, аппеляционные суды, заслушивать показания, ложа свидетельских показаний, здание суда, расположение, заявитель, обвинение в предвзятом отношении, представить доказательства, председательствующий мировой судья, по обе стороны которого находятся; герб Сити, судебное разбирательство, работа с документами судопроизводства, места адвокатов в шотландском суде, полукруглый стол, прокурор в шотландском суде, скамья подсудимых обвиняемый, допрашивать свидетеля, показания свидетеля, заносить в протокол ход рассмотрения дела, записывать на пленку