Pleading diet

A pleading diet is the court hearing in a summary case where the accused is asked to plead guilty or not guilty.

In Scots law a diet is a court hearing fixed for a particular stage of a case, and the pleading diet is usually the first calling of a summary case. You, or your solicitor on your behalf, tell the court whether you plead guilty or not guilty to each charge. If you plead guilty, the court may sentence you that day or adjourn the case, for example for reports. If you plead not guilty, the court fixes an intermediate diet and a trial diet, and decides whether you will be on bail or remain at liberty. The case can sometimes be continued without a plea. Your citation will tell you the date and court. If you do not attend without a good reason, the court can grant a warrant for your arrest.

Checked as at 25 September 2026. General information only, not legal advice.