Chief Executive's Foreword
Eleanor Emberson
Chief Executive
The Scottish Court Service (SCS) has tackled several ongoing challenges in the past year, and some new ones. As this report shows, there have been significant achievements, and I am very pleased to be able to report progress in modernizing our systems and improving our service to customers.
On system reform, there have been very important developments in both the High Court and plans for the handling of summary criminal business. Work on implementing the changes to the work of the High Court recommended by Lord Bonomy has been underway for some time, but reached a critical stage over the past year leading to implementation from the beginning of April 2005. Very successful joint working between SCS staff and their colleagues in other parts of the criminal justice system led to a smooth transition to the new practice in the High Court, and work is in hand to have the operation of the new arrangements independently evaluated once they have bedded in. The Minister for Justice published plans to reform summary justice in March 2005, and announced the intention that the SCS would take over the running of the district courts from local authorities on a phased basis. There is also an intention to improve the collection of fines. The implementation of these plans will be a very large part of the SCS’s change programme over the coming years.
In the mean time, SCS staff have continued to work with partners and amongst themselves to make the handling of business more effective and improve customer service. We are working with partners, including the police and Procurator Fiscal, in both Grampian and West Lothian on projects to eliminate unnecessary delays and waste in the handling of business. Through the hard work and dedication of the staff, the Court of Session, Airdrie Sheriff Court and Falkirk Sheriff Court have all been successful in receiving Charter Mark accreditation, and that the drive to improve customer service should see several more courts applying for Charter Mark in the coming year. Evidence from our Court User Satisfaction Survey suggests that are our standard of service is high and continuing to improve. Staff in the Office of the Public Guardian have coped with further growth in the applications relating to Adults with Incapacity, and been involved in developing ideas for improving the handling of that business in future.
We have once again invested significantly in the development of our staff, including the further expansion of our programme of Scottish Vocational Qualifications which give staff external recognition of the skills required in their jobs. We have also developed training programmes for first line and middle managers that are accredited with the Institute of Leadership and Management. Continuing to improve our training arrangements will be critical over the next few years. We need a highly skilled staff to maintain the high standards of service we have set and implement the changes to come.
We have also continued our programme of investment in our court estate. The redevelopment of Parliament House in Edinburgh was halted in December 2004 to allow for a review of options to ensure that the needs of the High Court and Court of Session in Edinburgh are met as quickly and effectively as possible. We also opened the new Sheriff Court Annex at Aberdeen, providing accommodation for solemn business and regular sittings for the High Court. Joint projects with local authorities have provided new, shared facilities for the Sheriff Courts in Rothesay and Peebles, strengthening the service that these smaller courts provide to their local communities.
This report provides more detailed information on all of the items I have mentioned above, and it also provides information on how the Scottish Court Service has performed against strategic objectives and used the funds available over the financial year from April 2004 to March 2005. I hope you will find it helpful and accessible summary of the Agency’s work.
Eleanor Emberson
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