New civil case management system paves way for Simple Procedure

Civil Online, which will be accessible through the SCTS, will enable claims to be made online; parties will be able to submit documents in support of their case, pay court fees and track their case progress. This will be introduced initially for Simple Procedure actions up to £5,000 and the SCTS plans to extend this to all areas of simple procedure by mid-2017, allowing over 60 per cent of all civil business in the sheriff courts to be processed through Civil Online.

SCTS had initially aimed to launch Civil Online to coincide with the introduction of Simple Procedure on 28th November, but has decided to invest more time “to ensure that the online access is extensively tested with future users and fully protected against any cyber security threats to data or financial transactions.”

SCTS is now planning to introduce Civil Online in early 2017 and will confirm the release date shortly.

In the meantime, Simple Procedure forms and guidance will be made available on this website in editable PDF format and claims under Simple Procedure can be made from 28 November to sheriff courts in the same way as they currently are for small claims and summary cause.

Further information is available at http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/civil-online-faqs or contact civilonline@scotcourtstribunals.gov.uk