Venues needed to ease trials logjam

Criminal trials are unlikely to resume before the end of the year in Tayside and Fife after court bosses admitted they had yet to settle on venues for use as remote jury centres.

The backlog of cases is nearing 4,000 after court business was disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Cinemas are currently being used to accommodate juries to serve the sheriffdoms of Glasgow and Strathkelvin and Lothian and Borders.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) says it is planning for the four other sheriffdoms – Tayside, Central and Fife; Grampian, Highland and Islands; North Strathclyde and South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway – to restart sheriff and jury business as soon as possible.

However, The Courier has learned it has yet to conclude contracts with any local venues to make that happen.

At present, 3,675 summary trials – those held in the presence of a sheriff – and 157 solemn trials, which require a sheriff and jury, are classed as “scheduled” in Tayside, Central and Fife. These i nv o l v e complaints or indictments that have a trial diet assigned but have yet to call in court.

Odeon cinemas are being used as remote jury centres serving Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The SCTS said it was considering a number of options in Tayside and Fife.

A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that to suppor t the restar t of sheriff and jury cases, work is being done to identify and assess suitable facilities in each sheriffdom and we will confirm those locations as soon as we can.

“A range of venues are being considered with suitable facilities to support remote jury centres in each sheriffdom.”

Fife solicitor Kr i s t a Johnston, from Martin Johnston & Socha Solicitors and Criminal Defence Lawyers, said: “We are all anxious to begin to address the backlog of trials. Sheriff and jury trials deal with more serious crime and awaiting trial is a difficult time for both accused and witnesses.”

Across Scotland as a whole, 17,818 summar y cases and 497 solemn cases are currently scheduled.

Business is being pencilled in provisionally for February in many areas.

Alexander Stewart, Conservative MSP for MidScotland and Fife, has called for an end to the “pain and trauma” caused by delays.

He said: “Far too many victims are having to wait too long for their day in court, which is causing many of them additional pain and trauma.”

Liam Ke r r, S c o tt i s h Conservative justice spokesman and MSP for North East Scotland, said: “There are now thousands of victims of crime in limbo, waiting to have their day in court, which is unacceptable.

“It is imperative the courts are able to use alternative venues, digital solutions and extend their hours, without further delay.”

Efforts to alleviate the burden have been stepped up this week after a practice note was published by Lord Carloway to establish new early, physically-distanced, meetings b e twe e n the prosecution and the defence outwith the courtroom, before a trial date is confirmed.

C u r r e n t l y, many summar y sheriff court cases resolve on the day of trial when a guilty plea is agreed between the prosecutor and the defence.