Let's think for a few moments about the differences between Scotland and England, particularly the legal and judicial systems - how the law is administered in Scotland and how the court system operates. You might be surprised. Probably the best way to begin an article such as this is, you guessed it, at the beginning.

To do this, we must go back to the year 1707. YThat was the year when the controversial Union of Parliaments took place. (Of course, we all know that Scotland, in more recent times, has had its own Parliament in Edinburgh in a specally-built building nearl the Palace of Holyroodhouse.)

However, moving away from the Political hub of Edinburgh, the next time you visit the Scottish capital, walk behind the facade of St. Giles Catherdral in the Hight Street. There you will find the unpretentious entrance to the Law Courts of Scotland - the Inner House, the Outer House, the High Court of Justiciary, the Justiciary Apeal Court, the Scottish Court of Criminal Appeal, etc, etc.

To continue this story read further in September 2007's Scotian.