North east Fife suffering ‘gross disservice’ a year on from Cupar Sheriff Court closure

Douglas Williams, of Williams Gray Williams, told The Courier that in spite of “Herculean efforts”, his clients often miss trials in Dundee because of logistical issues with public transport.

He said the Scottish Court Service and ministers have largely ignored the problem of travel times and added that trials were being delayed because of the strain on the system.

Predictions that the court’s closure would affect the local economy were also becoming a reality, Mr Williams said, as law firms in the area see their business “diluted”.

He said: “So far as the staff, agents and sheriffs are concerned, they have all been extremely understanding and have done their best to get on with court business following the changes.

“But people arrested in north east Fife are being prejudiced. They are being taken to Kirkcaldy Police Station to be interviewed.

“When they are due to appear at Dundee Sheriff Court, they invariably are not taken until the afternoon, often due to mix-ups between G4S, the police and procurator fiscal service.

“If the alleged crime happened in north east Fife then, despite being yards from Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, they have to go up to Dundee because the crime happened within that jurisdiction.

“But we’ve even had custodies being taken from Cupar to Greenock overnight. I know of at least six cases from north east Fife where this has happened.

“It doesn’t matter what efforts the sheriff, fiscal or sheriff clerks go to. It’s pure geography and people in north east Fife are being punished.”

A Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service spokesperson said: “The transfer of business to Dundee Sheriff Court has been managed professionally with a seamless transition.

“All initial concerns about lack of court capacity, witness attendance problems or non-attendance of accused have proven to be unfounded.

“Dundee Sheriff Court continues to provide strong levels of service, with summary criminal trials being available within 16 weeks and civil proofs available within eight weeks.”