Following recent press reports that courts across Scotland were at risk of closure, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has sought assurance from the Justice Secretary regarding the future of Kirkwall Sheriff Court. The reponse provides some level of reassurance, but raises questions as to the future of jury trials in the islands.
Commenting on the letter, Mr McArthur said:
“I am pleased to hear that the Scottish Court Service sees the closure of Kirkwall Sheriff Court as neither ‘desirable’ nor ‘practical’ and that such an option will not form any part of the Scottish Court Services future plans. What does concern me though, is that they go on to question whether there is a need for jury trials to be held in Orkney.
“With the march towards centralisation already underway in the form of plans for a single, national Police Service and Fire and Rescue Service, any downgrading of Kirkwall Sheriff Court will raise alarm bells in the islands. Providing fair, local access to justice cannot be compromised and any erosion of that through creeping centralisation will be fiercely resisted.
“Given the SNP government’s majority at Holyrood, assurances that no changes will be made without the agreement of MSPs will provide little comfort to people in Orkney. What is needed is a firm commitment from the Justice Secretary that access to justice will not be made more difficult for islands residents and there will be no downgrading of Kirkwall Sheriff Court.”
