Background
A consultation on the Scottish Court Service’s (SCS) proposals on a future court structure was undertaken in late 2012. The SCS published its report and recommendations “Shaping Scotland’s Court Services” on 9 April 2013 after responses to the consultation had been considered.
At its meeting on 16 April 2013 the Committee agreed to consider and take evidence on all of the report’s recommendations. The Committee’s consideration of the SCS’s proposals will allow it to explore issues arising from the report and the impact of its recommendations, as well as informing the Committee in advance of subordinate legislation the Scottish Government intends to bring forward to implement the SCS’s recommendations.
Evidence
The Committee has issued a call for written evidence. The closing date for submissions is midday on Tuesday 21 May 2013.
The Committee will take evidence on the Scottish Court Service's report "Shaping Scotland's Court Services" at its meetings on 21 May and 4 June.
Correspondence
Following the Committee meeting of 21 May, the Convener wrote to several bodies asking for clarification on points that had arisen during the oral evidence taken during the meeting.
Scottish Court Service
Scottish Legal Aid Board
Crown and Procurator Fiscal Service
Police Scotland
Law Society of Scotland
Fife and Forth Valley Community Justice Authority
During the evidence session on 4 June, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice indicated that he would write to the Committee with more information on the proposed video link facilities in the localities where courts are earmarked for closure. His letter to the Committee is below.
On 13 June, the Committee received a letter from the Law Society of Scotland, dated 10 June, regarding the Committee's consideration of two Scottish statutory instruments which implemented the court closures recommended in the SCS’s report.