SCTS are submitting plans to Fife Council to build a two court complex to hear sheriff and jury cases and custodies in Kirkcaldy.
The proposal is for two new criminal courtrooms and a court custody unit to be located within the existing Kirkcaldy police station building. The creation of the new courtrooms
will improve efficiency and flexibility in managing day to day business increasing the number of courtrooms and providing improved accommodation for court users, including victims, witnesses and jurors.
With the new court complex comes the opportunity at a later stage to develop the entire building into an enlarged justice centre providing the full range of justice services from a single location in Kirkcaldy.
Eric McQueen, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Chief Executive, said:
“With financial support from Scottish Government we are taking this initial exciting step to improve court services within Kirkcaldy, which is consistent with our longer term ambition to establish justice centres in key locations in Scotland, including Fife.
“Current court performance at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court remains strong and continues to improve, with summary trials being offered within the agreed 16 week period. However the reporting and detection of crimes, particularly domestic abuse and sexual offences, has increased, not only in volume but in complexity requiring more court time, and the new court facilities will provide the flexibility to accommodate this business.”
Chief Superintendent Colin Gall, Divisional Commander for Fife, said:
"This new partnership approach will ensure greater collaboration between our organisations and will ultimately improve efficiency for everyone within the criminal justice process.
"As part of Policing 2026, Police Scotland is committed to strengthening partnerships and improving outcomes for local communities.
"This opportunity will result in a key criminal justice partner being located within Kirkcaldy Police Station along with Police Scotland criminal justice resources and the existing local policing team."
Once the new court complex is operational, the current Justice of the Peace court will be offered for sale on the open market.
Notes
Work has begun on Scotland’s first purpose-built Justice Centre in Inverness due to be completed late 2019. Inverness Justice Centre