- District Courts were introduced in 1975 and deal with the most minor crimes. They are run by the local authorities.
- Each court comprises one or more Justices of Peace (lay magistrates) who sit alone or in threes with a qualified legal assessor as convener or clerk of court.
- District courts may not impose a fine in excess of £2,500 or sentence an offender to more than 60 days in prison. In practice, most offences are dealt with by a fine.
- In Glasgow where the volume of business requires the employment of 3 solicitors as "stipendiary magistrates" who sit in place of the lay Justices. The Stipendiary Magistrates' court has the same sentencing power as the summary Sheriff Court.
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