Plans for Inverness justice centre submitted as SCTS defends closure programme

Plans for Inverness justice centre submitted as SCTS defends closure programme

Plans submitted for a new justice centre in Inverness are the latest move in a programme of court closures and changes to the delivery of legal services in Scotland’s justice system.

There are currently 43 courts operating in Scotland, 39 sheriff and justice of the peace courts, the Court of Session and three High Court buildings in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Over the past six years, 17 sheriff and JP courts have seen their doors close, incurring protests from local communities and lawyers alike.

Cupar’s 800-year-old court was closed in 2014, with business moving to Dundee.

Haddington Sheriff Court, which had run for five centuries, closed last year, with its business transferring to the capital.

Last month, the Scottish Conservatives revealed that since the closures 63.5 per cent of cases were being resolved within the set time period.

In response, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) attributed the delays to more complex domestic abuse cases and historical sex offence cases.

A spokesperson for the SCTS said: “Following public consultation, between April 2013 and March 2016 the courts service led a significant programme of court restructuring, based on the recommendations set out in the Shaping Scotland’s Court Services report.

“That programme has resulted in a more efficient court structure and a court estate that balances accessibility, specialism and affordability.

“Court business is being achieved within the performance targets set and the expected level of savings are being realised, enabling the SCTS to target investment more productively across the estate.

“Having consolidated Scotland’s court infrastructure we are now focused on delivering a system that continues to meet the needs of Scotland, making use of technology and investing to improve services.”

They added: “This year we proposed further reform arising from our review of criminal evidence and procedure.

“The recommendations in the review propose both a new approach to ensure children and vulnerable witnesses are protected from further trauma while giving evidence and radical digital transformation of the summary criminal justice system.

“We are also working with partners to upgrade and improve court facilities wherever possible – last week we announced a planning application for the development of a major new justice centre in Inverness – a facility that will provide world class services to court users and allow all partners across the justice system to work together more effectively, based in a purpose-built facility, designed with the delivery of services digitally in mind.”

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