The SCS has concluded a three month public consultation on future court structures and we welcome the many comments and contributions we have received.

An analysis of consultation responses will be carried out during January and February 2013 and we anticipate publishing a report in April 2013 setting out the SCS response to the consultation and our firm proposals for future court structures.

The decision on any resulting court closures would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament and would require the Cabinet Secretary for Justice to bring forward subordinate legislation.

Should the Cabinet Secretary agree with any proposal for court closures it is likely that the necessary orders would be laid before the summer recess.