Legal Definitions - sheriff principal

SHERIFF PRINCIPAL

In Scots law, the sheriff principal is the highest-ranking judge in a sheriffdom that includes one or more counties.

For example, the sheriff principal of the Lothian and Borders sheriffdom is responsible for overseeing all the sheriffs in that area and ensuring that justice is administered fairly and efficiently.

Another example is the sheriff principal of the Grampian, Highland and Islands sheriffdom, who presides over cases in a vast geographical area that includes the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

The examples illustrate how the sheriff principal is the top judge in a particular sheriffdom, with responsibility for ensuring that the law is upheld and justice is served. They also show how the sheriff principal's jurisdiction can cover a large area, with multiple sheriffs reporting to them.