- Asked by: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 29 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of the time of the sheriff courts was taken up with cases before temporary sheriffs for each of the last three years, how many full time sheriffs would have to be appointed to meet the shortfall arising as a result of the recent ruling against the use of temporary sheriffs, and whether it will ensure that there will be sufficient full time sheriffs to cover the withdrawal of temporary sheriffs.
Answer
On average temporary Sheriffs have provided between 20% and 25% of the sitting days in the Sheriff Courts. The use of temporary Sheriffs for new business has been suspended whilst Ministers consider the implications of the judgements issued by the High Court on 11 November. The appointment of 10 new floating Sheriffs will compensate to some extent for the loss of the services of temporary Sheriffs. Ministers will consider the case for further appointments after a decision has been taken whether or not to appeal against the High Court ruling and in the light of further experience of the measures already taken.
- Asked by: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 29 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it agrees with the recent ruling that temporary sheriffs cannot be independent.
Answer
I shall make a further statement on this matter once we have considered the judgements issued by the High Court on 11 November and a decision has been taken on the question of an Appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
- Asked by: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Andrew Hardie on 29 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is considering the possibility of emergency legislation following the recent ruling against the use of temporary sheriffs, and whether there will be an appeal against the ruling.
Answer
The recent decision by the High Court of Justiciary in relation to the use of temporary sheriffs remains under consideration. An appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council is competent and a decision on whether to pursue this will be made in due course. There are no plans for emergency legislation.
- Asked by: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 29 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive, following recent discussions between the Lord Advocate and the Sheriffs Principal, what further measures, if any, in addition to any contingency plans will or may be put in place following the recent ruling against the use of temporary sheriffs.
Answer
A total of 10 new permanent posts are being created. Sheriffs Principal are submitting proposals to Ministers for the initial deployment of these new Sheriffs who will be able to serve anywhere in Scotland, as the need arises.
- Asked by: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 29 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what would be the estimated expenditure required to fill the gap left by the recent ruling against the use of temporary sheriffs if permanent sheriffs are employed in their place, and from where this funding could come.
Answer
Any savings in the cost of fees payable to temporary Sheriffs will be allocated to meet the costs of employing the additional floating Sheriffs who are to be appointed.Ministers will consider longer-term finance issues once the impact of the recent High Court judgement has been fully assessed.
- Asked by: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 29 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what contingency plans are being put in place to deal with the situation arising out of the recent ruling against the use of temporary sheriffs.
Answer
The Sheriffs Principal, who are responsible for the allocation of business in their Sheriffdoms, have adopted a number of measures to suit local circumstances. Criminal cases which might otherwise run into time-bar difficulties will be prioritised as will civil cases involving children. Permanent Sheriffs have postponed annual leave and suspended involvement in certain other activities which take them away from the Bench. The need for other measures will be kept under review on a daily basis.
- Asked by: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 29 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement to the Parliament once the full implications of the ruling against the use of temporary sheriffs are clear.
Answer
Yes.
- Asked by: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 29 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive what the immediate financial implications are of the recent ruling against the use of temporary sheriffs.
Answer
I refer to the answer given to question S1W-2550.
- Asked by: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 29 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether temporary sheriffs sat more in certain areas of Scotland than others, and whether the recent ruling against the use of temporary sheriffs will result in a disproportionate amount of pressure in the courts of certain areas and, if so, whether it will take immediate action to stop this happening.
Answer
Temporary Sheriffs have been deployed wherever required to cover for the absence of permanent Sheriffs or where exceptional caseloads have had to be dealt with. It follows that some courts have made more use than others of temporary Sheriffs. The Sheriffs Principal and Sheriff Court staff have already taken steps to re-schedule business and provide permanent Sheriff cover for courts with greatest need.
- Asked by: Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 November 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Andrew Hardie on 26 November 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive, following the suspension of Scotland's temporary sheriffs, whether a guarantee will be given that all of those charged with crimes of violence will have their cases brought to court satisfying the 110 day rule.
Answer
The recent decision of the High Court in the case of Starrs and Chalmers against the Procurator Fiscal at Linlithgow does not affect the preparation of cases for trial in the High Court or Sheriff Court.Steps have been taken to ensure that Judges and Sheriffs are available to hear timeously all such cases which are affected by the 110 day rule or the 40 day rule which affects summary custody cases.
