Key developments in civil justice covered in SCJC report

The Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC) has now published its fourth Annual Report outlining its achievements, accounts and a summary of the rules prepared during the year.

The council chair, Lord Carloway, said: “During the past year, the council has undertaken a substantial amount of work that will help to shape Scotland’s civil procedures well into the future.

This includes the publication of a far-reaching report which sets out the council’s thinking on the overarching principles of civil justice. The council is keen to engage with court users to ensure the success of such an important project and will be arranging visits across Scotland.

None of this work could have been achieved without the tremendous commitment and professionalism of the council members, for which I am grateful.”

This year, the council has combined the Annual Report with the Annual Programme, which details how it will deliver its priorities for 2017 – 18. This means that the council has put together its achievements, finances and ongoing work schedule in one place for the first time.

During the course of the past year, the council has prepared 18 sets of draft rules. A number of these have covered more than one subject area. Significant developments have included rules arising from the implementation of the reforms to bankruptcy proceedings and from the new fatal accident inquiry procedure.

The council has also developed rules to introduce whole new procedures, including the creation of a new system of pursuers’ offers and a new personal injury pre-action protocol.

For more detailed information see the SCJC’s Annual Report and Annual Programme.