What recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Court Service regarding future court structures.

Through the Making Justice Work Programme the Scottish Government has had a range of discussions with the Scottish Court Service regarding future court structures. I met Eric McQueen, Executive Director for Field Services on 15 December 2011 to be briefed on the court service’s initial review of the options for future court structures. In addition, Scottish Government officials sit on the future court structures project board which meets regularly, most recently on
14 December 2011.
Allocation of future court business in relation to the High Court circuit and the location of sheriff and jury trails is the responsibility of the independent judiciary and not Scottish ministers. Decisions about the closure of any court locations would be subject to public consultation and, ultimately, parliamentary approval. No decisions have been made at this stage.