SCTS News

Contingency arrangements for civil proceedings within the Sheriff Appeal Court have been updated and new guidance issued.

This week saw the successful launch of the virtual court for Inner House appeals and remote tele conference hearings in the Outer House. Along with Sheriffs Principal and the Law Society of Scotland, we have also been assessing what civil business in the sheriff courts, beyond the urgent and necessary categories, can be carried out remotely where earlier resolution would be beneficial.

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.