The following people will be in the courtroom:
The judge or sheriff: The judge or sheriff is an expert in the law and is in charge of all court proceedings. They will ensure everything is done fairly within the law and that the court rules and legal procedures are followed. They also have a duty to protect the interests of all the people involved in the case, including the witnesses. In a jury case, the judge will advise the jury about the law.
The lawyers: Normally there will be a lawyer representing each of the parties to a civil case, unless any of the parties are representing themselves (see 'Party litigants' below).
They will ask questions in court so that the witnesses can give their evidence in their answers. Lawyers appearing in court may be solicitors or advocates.
The parties: The people who have started the case, or against whom the case has been started, may be in the court with their lawyers.
Party litigants: Some people in civil cases will decide to represent themselves instead of using a lawyer. They are called 'Party litigants'.
Jury: The jury are members of the public (12 people) who know nothing about the case before they hear the evidence. They will listen to the evidence and decide if the evidence shows the case has been proved 'on the balance of probabilities'.
The clerk of court: This person is responsible for assisting the judge or sheriff and keeping the court papers and records.
The court officer: This person assists the court and lets the witnesses know when it is their turn to give their evidence. They may also be asked to show a witness different pieces of evidence, such as photographs or other items.
The public and press: The public may sometimes be excluded from the courtroom. The press are usually allowed to remain. In some cases they may be prevented from publishing any particulars that may lead to the identification of the parties or witnesses involved. In exceptional cases (for example where issues of national security arise), the judge might order for the courtroom to be completely cleared.