Dumbarton Sheriff Court Reopens After Major Upgrade


Court business is scheduled to resume on 24 February 2009 in the refurbished and extended Dumbarton Sheriff Court in Church Street, Dumbarton

The upgraded Court complex will provide five modern courtrooms as well as vastly improved facilities for witnesses, juries, staff, professionals and court visitors. The building is now fully accessible and has specific facilities for vulnerable witnesses. Café facilities will be offered by CHAS, the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland, with proceeds helping to support Robin House in Balloch.

The renovated Court complex includes a contemporary extension to the rear of the building, but preserves the important architectural integrity of the existing B listed building, its appearance having been enhanced by extensive stonework repair.

The Scottish Court Service has a commitment to improve energy efficiency within their estate and the building includes high levels of insulation, lighting controls and water conservation measures, high efficiency boilers and a building management system which maximises efficiency of the installations but minimises energy waste.

Eleanor Emberson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service said: “The Sheriff Court occupies an important site in Dumbarton and this investment secures and enhances a significant historic building. We hope that it is also a useful contribution to the regeneration aims for Dumbarton Town Centre.

“The additional courtroom capacity help ensure cases are dealt with quickly and court users will now have the benefit of modern facilities.”

During the £12 million project, court services were relocated outside the building to four separate sites in Dumbarton. Ken Carter, Sheriff Clerk said: “During our time in temporary accommodation, the staff considered it vitally important that we continued to provide the highest level of service. That commitment was recognised earlier this year when we received a Chartermark award for customer service excellence - a considerable achievement in the circumstances.”

The Lord President will formally open the Dumbarton Court Complex in June 2009.

Notes for Editors

Contact Details
Dumbarton Sheriff Court
Sheriff Court House
Church Street
Dumbarton
G82 1QR
01389 763266

Principle Contractor: ROK Group, Seaward Street, Glasgow, G41 1HH
Lead Designers: AEDAS Architects, Cadogan Square, Cadogan Street, Glasgow, G2 7HF
Project Manager: Davis Langdon, Aurora Building, 120 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 7JS
Build Duration: Work on site commenced May 2007 – completed February 2009
Contact: 0131 244 5033