First virtual summary criminal trial held in north court
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THE first virtual summary criminal trial took place this week at Inverness Sheriff Court.
The trial on Tuesday, June 9, was seen as a pilot to establish the future of remote hearings to address coronavirus social distancing requirements.
All participants in the trial appeared online, but proceedings were carried out as if they were taking place in a courtroom.
The cases are being piloted in the sheriffdom of Grampian, Highland and Islands before being considered elsewhere in Scotland.
Grampian, Highland and Islands Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle said: "The courts have been working extremely hard throughout the coronavirus pandemic to progress as much business as possible within Scottish Government guidelines.
"Thanks to a collaborative effort across the justice sector, driven by the courts, ongoing innovations and new approaches are enabling more and more types of case to be dealt with, despite the current restrictions in place.
"I am pleased that the first virtual summary criminal trial ran successfully.
"Court staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the technology is in place to proceed with this new development, so that justice can be delivered in a safe environment.
"It is important that we evaluate the pilot before wider adoption."
Following the announcement of the first phase of the Scottish Government’s easing of coronavirus restrictions, the Lord Justice General, Lord Carloway, issued a Practice Note to allow the pilot to proceed.
