Journalists can now record and broadcast in some cases from Scotland’s Supreme Courts

The document enables journalists to apply to record and broadcast certain types of case from the High Court and from the Court of Session.

It also permits those registered with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) to use live, text-based communications, such as Twitter, from Scottish courts without prior permission – unless the presiding or chairing judge considers that it would not be in the interest of justice during a particular hearing.

Those journalists not registered with the SCTS may still apply to tweet on a case by case basis.

The protocol supports the principle that broadcasting court proceedings is in the interests of open justice and provides educational information.

The document details the criteria for the applications, which can be made to broadcast the following types of case: sentencing; appeals; first instance civil debates; criminal trials and civil proofs (the last two as part of a documentary production).

A broadcast working group will review each application, taking into account the views of the presiding or chairing judge, before making a recommendation to the Lord President, Lord Carloway, who will make a final decision.