![]() Their sentencing powers are identical to a sheriff sitting in summary proceedings. ![]() Summary sheriffs hear civil cases brought under Simple Procedure and criminal cases brought under summary proceedings. Sheriffs also preside over fatal accident inquiries which are convened to examine the circumstances around sudden or suspicious deaths, including those who die in the course of employment, in custody, or in secure accommodation. In solemn proceedings the maximum sentence is 5 years imprisonment, or an unlimited fine. The maximum sentencing power of sheriff in summary proceedings is 12 months imprisonment, or a fine of up to £10,000. A sheriff must be legally qualified, and have been qualified as an advocate or solicitor for at least 10 years. Sheriffs deal with the majority of civil and criminal court cases in Scotland, with the power to preside in solemn proceedings with a jury of 15 for indictable offences and sitting alone in summary proceedings for summary offences. The additional duties of a sheriff principal include being Commissioners of the Northern Lighthouse Board (which is the general lighthouse authority for Scotland), and chairing local criminal justice boards which bring together local representatives of procurator fiscal, Police Scotland and Community Justice Scotland, and Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. Sheriffs principal also sit as appeal sheriffs in the Sheriff Appeal Court hearing appeals against sentencing and conviction from summary trials in the sheriff courts and justice of the peace courts. The most senior sheriffs are the sheriffs principal, who have administrative as well as judicial authority in the six sheriffdoms, and are responsible for the effective running and administration of all the sheriff courts in their jurisdiction. In Scotland the sheriff is a judicial office holder in the sheriff courts, and they are members of the judiciary of Scotland. Main articles: Sheriff court and Sheriff principal Great Britain and Ireland England, Wales and Northern Ireland
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