Procurator fiscal

They investigate all sudden and suspicious deaths in Scotland (similar to a coroner in common law systems), conduct fatal accident inquiries (a form of inquest unique to the Scottish legal system) and handle criminal complaints against the police (administrative complaints are handled by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner).

The procurator fiscal has the discretion not to prosecute and pursue alternatives free from political interference, but is always subject to the directions of the Crown Office and the Lord Advocate.

[5] A procurator-fiscal is a procurator or court representative connected with the fisc or Treasury, and hence with the collection of fines or dues.

[10] Under solemn High Court procedure, once someone has been charged with an offence and remanded in custody, the Crown must bring the case to a preliminary hearing within 110 days.

[20] All suspicious, sudden and accidental deaths must be reported to the procurator fiscal, and they have a responsibility to identify if any criminal action has occurred and, where appropriate, prosecute.

Where a criminal offence is suspected to have occurred the procurator fiscal will instruct the local police to investigate.

[24] There are eleven procurators fiscal in Scotland, each covering a geographical area or jurisdiction with a central office.

This Court is unique to Scots culture, where heraldry plays an important role, particularly in relation to the clan system.

[26] If any rule concerning a coat of arms – also known as "an achievement" – is broken, the procurator fiscal, as the independent official prosecutor of the court, determines whether to initiate criminal proceedings.