Court backlog is set to ease

Paisley Sheriff Court is expected to start working through a backlog of cases as lockdown restrictions ease and more people in the judiciary return to work.

The St James Street court has remained operational throughout the Covid- 19 pandemic as one of the “regional hub courts” that was dealing with urgent hearings while also picking up cases from Greenock and Dumbarton.

But the Scottish Court Service revealed it will reopen the Greenock and Dumbarton outlets to its staff next week and later resume cases in which people are appearing in court for the first time from custody.

Paisley Sheriff Court meanwhile will now focus on the backlog of work that has accrued due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The courts will for the time being remain closed to the public.

Eric McQueen, chief executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, said: “Given the changing position on the easing of lockdown measures, our priority is to ensure a safe and managed return of staff and judiciary to our buildings.

“This will be supported by a move to conducting more business online where it is appropriate to do so.

“The last few months have shown our capacity and appetite for change. The next will require that same commitment from everyone involved as we test and progress our recovery arrangements.

“Over the next few days we will share further plans on reopening and resuming summary criminal business and civil business.

“As we concentrate on managing the backlog of work there will be no hearings taking place nor public access to our buildings in these initial weeks.

“From next week we will take the first of a series of steps which will continue for the duration of the Routemap phases.”

The news comes a week after the judiciary set out its plans for the resumption of jury trials at Glasgow High Court.

It will see three courts used for a trial. The first court will be used for the participants of the trial, with the jury sitting two metres apart in the public gallery; the second for members of the public and media to view the proceedings remotely; and the third for the jury to retire to.