The first digital evidential hearing in a Simple Procedure case took place last month in Aberdeen Sheriff Court. This was a significant event as it introduced the first civil case in the UK to be processed from end to end by digital means.
In this case, the court was able to hear evidence presented by the parties and supported by digital documents and photographs previously submitted online.
Court staff were pleased at how smoothly the case proceeded, seeing this as the way forward and a welcome move away from cumbersome paper productions.
Kay McCorquodale, SCTS Chief Development and Innovation Officer, said: “We are delighted that the first digital hearing went well and there are more programmed to take place throughout Scotland. This is an important milestone in our digital programme and we look forward to further benefits which online services can bring.”
Some 11% of Simple Procedure claims are now received via Civil Online, enabling those cases to be managed and communicated digitally.