Court Listening Service

A new service has been launched aimed at supporting people who may be upset or uncertain about attending court.

The Listening Service was introduced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court yesterday and is the first resource of its kind in Scotland.

Launched on behalf of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service in partnership with the Edinburgh Interfaith Association, the service is staffed by volunteers to provide confidential support to all court users.

The concept aims to help people who may feel the need to talk to someone during what can be an unknown and stressful experience attending court.

The Rev Andrew Let by, of Edinburgh and Forth Circuit Methodist Church, pushed for the service’s creation after he heard about a couple in his congregation who felt the need to talk to someone about a process they had never experienced before.

Volunteers have been recruited and trained for the new service and will be present in court at busy times to listen to those who want to talk, help people navigate the building or refer them on to other organisations and services if appropriate.

Edinburgh interim sheriff clerk Les McIntosh said: “Having someone available to listen can be a real comfort at a stressful time and we are pleased to be leading the way by making this new service available at the court.

“This initiative has the full backing of Sheriff Principal Mhairi Stephen QC, and has the potential to provide a valuable service to court users, particularly those attending for the first time or those who are distressed or upset.”