With the building wind and watertight, the emphasis now moves to the internal finishes which will transform this purpose-built complex in Inverness into Scotland’s first Justice Centre.
Representatives from the organisations that will be based in the Inverness Justice Centre are working together on how to best join up and share services, while working through the transitional planning to physically move into the centre.
Eric McQueen, Chief Executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service said: “This is another key milestone that keeps us firmly on course to open the new Centre in the Spring of 2020 and means we can focus on designing the best quality services from the justice centre.”
The Justice Centre was visited recently by the Lord President, Lord Carloway, the most senior judge in Scotland, who commended the design of the new building.
The Lord President said: “We are designing a model centre which creates new standards and opportunities for the delivery of justice in the Highlands.”
Preparations are already underway for the move from Inverness Sheriff Court to the new Centre in 2020. At that point the ownership of Inverness Castle will transfer to Highland Council to support their plans to boost tourism.
Notes:
The justice centre has six courtrooms and a tribunals hearing room that incorporate the digital technologies to simplify and enhance the experience for all users. Separate and discrete areas will be available for jurors, witnesses and the local faculty. Facilities for video links and recording of evidence for children and vulnerable witnesses are included. Within the justice centre the criminal courts are located on the first floor, with the civil courts and tribunals on the ground floor, creating separate spaces for different users of the centre.
Organisations and services based in the Justice Centre include:
- Citizens Advice Bureau
- Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
- Families Outside
- Highland Council (Criminal Justice Social Work)
- HMCTS (Social Security and Child Support Tribunal, Employment Tribunal)
- NHS Highland
- Police Scotland
- Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
- Scottish Women’s Aid
- Witness Service/Victim Support Scotland
The Justice Centre will replace the Inverness Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court which is the second largest Court within the Sheriffdom of Grampian Highland and Islands.