Lord Ordinary is a solitary judge in Scotland presiding over cases in the Outer House of the Court of Session, the highest civil court in Scotland, comparable to the High Court of Justice in England. The Outer House is presided over by a single judge for initial case hearings, while the Inner House consists of three-judge panels for appeals. Additionally, the Court of Session includes multiple Lords Ordinary who serve as trial judges. In certain jurisdictions, Lord Ordinary may also pertain to a court with authority over criminal cases.
In Scots law, the Lord Ordinary is a judge of the Court of Session who presides over cases in the Outer House. They hear cases alone at first instance, making the initial decision before any appeals can be made to a higher court. The Outer House is the supreme Scottish civil court. It is important to note that in certain states, the term “Lord Ordinary” may also refer to a court that has jurisdiction over criminal cases.
The Lord Ordinary is a judge in the Court of Session in Scotland who hears and decides on civil cases.
The Lord Ordinary is responsible for managing and deciding on cases that are brought before the Court of Session, which is the highest civil court in Scotland.
The Lord Ordinary is appointed by the Queen on the recommendation of the First Minister of Scotland, following a selection process by the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland.
The Lord Ordinary hears a wide range of civil cases, including commercial disputes, personal injury claims, and judicial reviews.
Yes, the decisions of the Lord Ordinary can be appealed to the Inner House of the Court of Session, which is made up of more senior judges.
The Lord Ordinary is specifically designated to hear civil cases in the Court of Session, while other judges may preside over criminal cases or other types of courts.
To be appointed as a Lord Ordinary, a candidate must have a legal background and significant experience as a lawyer or judge.
Yes, the Lord Ordinary can be removed from office for misconduct or incapacity, following a process set out in the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008.
The Lord Ordinary has the power to make legally binding decisions on civil cases and is responsible for managing the court’s docket and ensuring cases are heard in a timely manner.
In court, the Lord Ordinary should be addressed as “My Lord” or “My Lady” as a sign of respect.
This site contains general legal information but does not constitute professional legal advice for your particular situation. Persuing this glossary does not create an attorney-client or legal adviser relationship. If you have specific questions, please consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.
This glossary post was last updated: 16th April 2024.
To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.
- Page URL:https://dlssolicitors.com/define/lord-ordinary/
- Modern Language Association (MLA):Lord Ordinary. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. May 09 2024 https://dlssolicitors.com/define/lord-ordinary/.
- Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):Lord Ordinary. dlssolicitors.com. DLS Solicitors. https://dlssolicitors.com/define/lord-ordinary/ (accessed: May 09 2024).
- American Psychological Association (APA):Lord Ordinary. dlssolicitors.com. Retrieved May 09 2024, from dlssolicitors.com website: https://dlssolicitors.com/define/lord-ordinary/
Our team of professionals are based in Alderley Edge, Cheshire. We offer clear, specialist legal advice in all matters relating to Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Probate, Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection.
All author posts