The Oban Times & West Highland Times

This week we report on a decision by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) to move sheriff and jury trials from Fort William and Portree to Inverness.

The implications of this are huge and, like a large rock being thrown into a pool of water, the ripple effect will be felt far and wide.

SCTS has paid lip service to the importance of justice being carried out locally, and really, what this boils down to is money and convenience for SCTS.

But what about the convenience of witnesses, the accused, lawyers and court staff in Portree and Fort William? Have they been taken into consideration? And what does this mean for the court buildings in both areas and the jobs of people working there?

The flip side is the cost, both financially and emotionally, on people having to travel to Inverness.

It is highly unlikely that public confidence in the administration of justice will be improved by such a move.

SCTS says few such cases are being heard in the town courts, but most people will see this as the thin edge of the wedge as far as local justice is concerned.