Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government welcomes the report by Sheriff Principal Pyle and also recognises the importance of stakeholder engagement in the development of virtual summary trials, in particular the engagement of defence agents, the Crown and third sector organisations. The successful completion of these ground breaking virtual trials is a testament to the hard work and collaborative approach taken by those working in Scotland’s courts and throughout the wider justice system. We will continue to work with our justice partners and stakeholders to ensure that progress is made both in terms of tackling the backlog of summary cases which has built up as a result of COVID-19 and also in respect of the overall modernisation of the court system.

Arrangements for the efficient disposal of business in the courts is the responsibility of the senior judiciary. As set out in Sheriff Principal Pyle’s report, the pilot of virtual summary trials in Aberdeen and Inverness involved cases deliberately chosen by the Crown and defence as being less complex trials suitable for the pilot. The report recommends that, in order to maintain momentum, the rollout of such trials should continue to use this model with defence agents and the Crown co-operating to identify suitable straightforward cases where virtual proceedings can take place. Sheriff Principal Pyle acknowledged that the success of the virtual trials in Aberdeen and Inverness was down to all the parties involved embracing the concept of virtual courts and that this approach should be replicated as the model is rolled out. While the operation of the courts is a matter for the senior judiciary, the progress of virtual summary trials is being considered as part of wider work to support the recovery of the justice system being overseen by the collaborative Justice Board for Scotland.

The position remains as per my answer of 4 June 2020. The impact of Covid-19 has meant development of new services in this area is not likely to be possible while the current focus is on maintaining and recovering justice services. My intention is though that these discussions will resume as soon as practically possible.

The 10 “Nightingale” courts in England and Wales are being set up for civil and non-custody cases. Running full trials in external venues was one of a range of options to restart jury trials put forward by the Scottish Government but, following our discussions with partners and stakeholders, it is not one of the options currently being focussed on. Jury trials in Scotland have now recommenced using two different models, while virtual proceedings are being used for summary and civil business. We are continuing to work with the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service to explore additional innovative solutions to enable recovery across the justice system.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.

The published Financial Memorandum which accompanies the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill details the Scottish Government’s estimates regarding the number of additional prosecutions that may take place should the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill be enacted.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days.

This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court and Tribunals Service (SCTS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCTS who will reply in writing within 20 days”

The responses to the, ‘ One Scotland: Hate Has No Home Here ’, consultation and public awareness events yielded valuable information both from individual and organisational perspectives.

Subsequently the Scottish Government contracted independent external analysts who undertook the analysis of the consultation responses and produced a report , which was then published on the Scottish Government website in June 2019.

Contained within Annex A of the report is a list of all the organisations who responded to the consultation broken down into four categories: third sector bodies, public sector and partnership bodies, faith groups and other organisations .

These responses can also be viewed individually on the Scottish Government’s Consultation website unless the organisation requested that their response remain anonymous.

I announced on 3 July that the Scottish Government is establishing the Performing Arts Venues Relief fund – a £10 million fund to support Scotland’s performing arts venues to be administered by Creative Scotland so that organisations across Scotland are able to access this much-needed money as quickly as possible. On 5th of July, the UK Government announced a £1.57 billion support package, with £97 million for Scotland which the First Minister has confirmed will be used for the arts, culture and heritage.

We welcome this announcement and we are pleased that the UK Government has listened to our calls for significant funding for the arts, culture and heritage sectors and is using its borrowing powers, which we don’t have, to deliver this level of support. The Scottish Government is currently establishing the best means and the criteria to provide additional support to those in the arts, culture and heritage sectors who have been so badly affected by Covid-19.