Solemn case delays at Dundee Sheriff Court up following 2014 court closures

Solemn cases at Dundee Sheriff Court are being delayed as a result of the closures of neighbouring sheriff courts, The Courier reports.

Figures show that after Arbroath and Cupar courts closed in 2014, and business transferred to Dundee and Forfar, 21 per cent of solemn cases were delayed – up from five per cent before the closures.

Solicitor Billy Boyle said: “It is getting worse and it will continue to get worse. The delays in prosecution are very bad evidentially but also emotionally for people who are involved in them.

“It’s one of the most important events of their lives, whether they are a victim, an accused or a juror. When they turn up in their Sunday best and are told the trial’s not happening it is very damaging.”

However, according to a spokesman for the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, there is “no link” between the figures and closures.

In 2015-16 Forfar saw 19 per cent of solemn cases delayed, up from seven per cent after it took on Arbroath’s case load.

Willie Rennie, the MSP for North East Fife and leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats called on the Scottish government to act, saying: “Now we are seeing the consequences for those seeking justice.

“If you are the victim of a crime it is already traumatic to go through the court process. When this is prolonged it only makes the agony more substantial.

“The Scottish government needs to act to increase the capacity so that people are no longer suffering in this way.”

The SCTS attributed the delays to an increase in crimes reported and detected.

A spokesman said: “There is no link between court closures and the increase in solemn adjournments shown in the evaluation report.

“Over the last two years the reporting and detection of crimes, particularly domestic abuse and sexual offences, has increased, reflecting proactive policing and prosecution and greater victim confidence to report crimes.

“These cases have not only increased in volume but are more complex cases often requiring more court time.”

A Scottish government spokeswoman said: “The court closure programme was part of a number of initiatives aimed at giving Scotland a modern court structure fit for the 21st century. This includes video links in each location where sheriff courts were closed so that access to justice is maintained for vulnerable witnesses.”