Question reference: S6W-16685
- Asked by: Claire Baker, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 3 April 2023
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Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 2 May 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to roll out domestic abuse courts across Scotland.
Answer
The Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008, which was passed unanimously by this Parliament, provides that it is the responsibility of the Lord President as Head of the independent judiciary and of Sheriffs Principal, to ensure the efficient disposal of business through Scotland’s courts, including sheriff courts.
Where the Lord President, in consultation with the relevant Sheriff Principal, considers that it is appropriate to establish a specialism in domestic abuse cases in a particular sheriffdom, they are able to do so.
There is no requirement for the involvement or approval of the Scottish Ministers or the Scottish Parliament.