Currently, the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Services (SCTS) are strictly dealing with urgent cases and all other civil cases have been sisted (paused) until further notice.
Roddy Dunlop QC has written to the SCTS and the Justice Secretary in a bid to encourage reconsideration of the current position in Scotland. He noted that "mothballing" all non-urgent business would have an adverse effect on the futures of firms, and their solicitors and members of the Faculty. This is something which has been backed heavily on social media by the profession.
He has urged a re-think and has encouraged an approach similar to the one adopted by the English Courts. In England, the Courts are putting in place measures to allow business to continue via telephone, video and other technology to encourage business to continue as normal, albeit remotely.
Whilst the Court of Session has announced that Inner House business will operate remotely from 21 April, this has not been adopted in the Sheriff Courts.
Roddy Dunlop QC hopes that his letter and setting out the differences north and south of the border will encourage the Scottish Courts to follow suit and introduce measures to allow the profession to continue litigating during this uncertain time.
