Virtual Court

Controversial and widely opposed plans to take civil justice online will have a "destructive effect on feelings of community amongst litigation practitioners", a lawyer has said. Andrew Stevenson, SLAS secretary, told Scottish Legal News that the pandemic had disrupted the civil court system "on a s

Julie Greig gives her top tips for virtual court hearings. I was recently involved in an evidential hearing in the Commercial Court of the Court of Session, which was set down over eight days and took place by WebEx.

Following a successful inaugural virtual court, the Bail Appeal Court will now convene daily with the presiding appeal sheriff, clerk of court, prosecutor and defence counsel or solicitors all participating remotely. Traditionally the Bail Court sat in Edinburgh, originally in the High Court and mor

Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle's recommendation that virtual courts for summary criminal cases become the default has been described as "absolutely atrocious". In his report, Summary Criminal Virtual Trial Pilot: The Way Ahead, he states: “As a pillar in the effective administration of justice,

A lawyer in Scotland's first virtual Sheriff Court hearing has praised the process and suggested areas where it can improve. Craig Watt, a solicitor advocate at Brodies, said on Twitter that he was "very proud" to have appeared in the hearing, over which Sheriff Principal Pyle presided.

The first virtual hearing in Scotland held as a result of the coronavirus emergency took place yesterday. The Inner House appeal, Stuart Campbell v Kezia Dugdale, was heard before the Lord President, Lord Carloway, sitting with Lord Menzies and Lord Brodie. The other participants were the clerk of c