Finding a family law professional in Edinburgh
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31
Important: Scotland has a separate legal system
Scottish family law is different from England and Wales. The C100, FL401, Cafcass and HMCTS processes described on most pages of this site do not apply in Scotland. Use the Scottish-specific resources below.
The family court in Edinburgh
The Court of Session in Edinburgh handles the most complex family cases (including international child abduction). Most family cases (divorce, child contact, financial claims) are heard in the Edinburgh sheriff court.
- Scottish Courts and Tribunals: https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk
- mygov.scot — child contact and custody: https://www.mygov.scot/child-contact-and-custody
The professional bodies and registers (start here)
- Solicitors (Scotland): The Law Society of Scotland — https://www.lawscot.org.uk
- Advocates (Scotland): Faculty of Advocates — https://www.advocates.org.uk
- Mediators (Scotland): Relationships Scotland — https://www.relationships-scotland.org.uk
- Legal aid (Scotland): https://www.mygov.scot/legal-aid
- Citizens Advice Scotland: https://www.cas.org.uk — Edinburgh bureau covers the city
Family support services in Edinburgh
- Parenting Across Scotland: https://www.parentingacrossscotland.org
- Children 1st: https://www.children1st.org.uk
- Scottish Women's Aid: https://www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk
- Scottish DA and Forced Marriage Helpline: 0800 027 1234 (24/7)
- Relationships Scotland (Edinburgh): family mediation and counselling
How Scottish family law differs
- Sheriff courts handle most divorce, child orders, and financial claims locally
- The Children's Hearings System (via SCRA) deals with children at risk — a separate tribunal from the courts
- Parental responsibilities and rights (PRRs) are set out in the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and later acts
- No MIAM requirement as used in England/Wales — but courts expect alternatives to have been considered
- Financial provision uses a different property regime ("fair sharing" of matrimonial property)
Official links
- mygov.scot family law: https://www.mygov.scot/child-contact-and-custody
- Scottish Courts: https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk
- Law Society of Scotland: https://www.lawscot.org.uk
- Citizens Advice Scotland: https://www.cas.org.uk
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk focuses on England and Wales in detail and provides Scottish information for routing only. We are not affiliated with any Scottish body or court.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.