SCTS News

The first online court hearings in response to the Coronavirus situation get underway next week. The Court of Session virtual court will convene with an Inner House case on Tuesday 21 April before the Lord President, Lord Carloway, sitting with Lords Menzies and Brodie.

Please note that Aberdeen and Edinburgh Sheriff Courts will be closed for local holidays this Monday, 20 April, 2020.

While the doors of our buildings were closed over the Easter holiday period, it wasn’t a holiday for many of our staff or judiciary. All ten Sheriff Courts dealt with custody hearings throughout Saturday and our digital team worked tirelessly throughout the weekend to configure new systems and set up remote devices in judges’ homes.

We have started the first video criminal custody hearings through direct links to police stations and this will become the norm for all custody hearings. We are finalising work with COPFS and the Law Society, which will enable participation in all hearings by telephone or video link.

All Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service buildings will be closed for the Easter Public Holidays on Friday 10 April and Monday 13 April.