High Court trials to resume

People facing the most serious criminal charges could see their trials starting in less than a week as Glasgow High Court prepares to get back up and running.

The court, which deals with the most severe crimes such as murder and rape, will restart jury trials on July 21 after a specialist working group identified ways of assembling a 15- person jury while adhering to social distancing.

At Glasgow High Court, where most Renfrewshire cases are heard, jurors will be asked to sit in the public gallery where they will be able to stay two metres apart.

The court house will then use a second room where the jury can retire and deliberate and a third room for the media to view the proceedings remotely.

Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian, who heads up the Restarting Solemn Trials Working Group, said: “Court staff have been working extremely hard in recent weeks to arrange for jury trials to recommence, greatly assisted by interested parties from across the justice sector.

“The challenges in conducting a 15- person jury trial in a physically distanced environment cannot be underestimated and I would like to thank all those involved for their commitment to ensure that justice is delivered safely.”

In each case, the 15 jurors, plus five or more substitutes, will be balloted remotely in advance of the trial date from a much larger pool of people who have responded to citations.

Only those selected in the ballot as jurors or substitutes will need to attend the court building on the day of the trial itself.

Physical distancing measures will remain in place throughout the service of the jury including in the deliberation room.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has also published a pamphlet to help jurors.

Victim Support Renfrewshire is currently seeing an increase in demand from victims distressed at the length of time it is taking to bring the perpetrators of serious crimes to justice.

Lady Dorian said the working group would continue to look at how jury trial could resume at Paisley Sheriff Court, among others.

She said the group will look at identifying necessary changes to legislation in order to allow more innovative digital solutions where these are appropriate.