Lawyers ‘risk lives’ to keep courts running

LAWYERS are putting their lives at risk working in courts without sufficient protection, it was claimed yesterday.

Only limited business such as custody hearings and bail cases are being held while court chiefs draw up plans for the resumption of criminal trials.

But solicitor William McIntyre said there was little evidence of moves to keep staff and lawyers safe at Falkirk Sheriff Court, which is operating as a ‘hub’, dealing with cases from Fife, Stirling and Clackmannanshire.

He said: ‘Apart from the doors being left open to minimise physical contact with door handles, and hand sanitiser, there wasn’t much else in terms of protection – no one wore masks.’

Mr McIntyre suggested lawyers should ‘let it backlog and ask for a proper legal aid rate to sort it out’.

A Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service spokesman said: ‘We are following public health guidance on how to stop the spread of the virus and have stepped up cleaning in all our courts.

‘Cleaning is being carried out throughout the day, as is regular sterilisation of touch points in court buildings.’