A reminder of the revised measures effective from Tuesday 19 April for those using SCTS buildings
As announced in our update on 1 April, revised measures for our courts and tribunals come into force on Tuesday 19 April which take into account the latest public health guidance
The safety of all those who use our buildings has been paramount throughout the pandemic. We have robustly followed public health guidance and will continue to do so as we move into this next stage of the pandemic. Consequently, the following measures will be in place from Tuesday 19 April for anyone using our buildings:
- we will continue to encourage all court users to wear a face covering in all public areas of our buildings in the interests of their own safety and of others
- during court proceedings, all those present in the courtroom will be required to wear face coverings, subject to any exemptions, unless they are required to speak (e.g. as questioning counsel or witness) or for identification purposes. Disposable masks will be provided if necessary. Full information on the use of face coverings in court proceedings can be found here
- revised guidance on what people need to do when coming to court (or any other SCTS building) will take effect
- jurors observing proceedings from remote jury centres are not obliged to wear a face covering whilst seated, but may choose to do so if they wish, and we will ask that they wear a face covering when they are moving around the building
- although formal physical distancing is removed, we will maintain sensible distancing measures in congested areas. We will encourage everyone to take a common sense approach to maintaining and respecting other people’s personal space when in our buildings. Signage in our buildings will be updated accordingly
- we will no longer require all those accessing our buildings to check-in and check-out using the Safe2Go contact system
- we will continue to encourage sensible distancing in our office layouts, toilets, lifts, refreshment areas and meeting spaces
- we will continue to encourage good hand hygiene, maintain enhanced surface cleaning – especially of high touch-point areas – and maintain good ventilation in line with the guidance, and
- we will continue to support home working arrangements wherever possible
In addition, from Monday 25 April:
- revised guidance on the arrangements for the business of the Supreme Courts and for the Sheriff and Justice of the Peace courts will take effect. The revisions cover the mode of attendance in civil hearings and for criminal business, accused attendance at pre-trial diets and an easing of restrictions on witness capacity, and
- restrictions on public access to our buildings and public counters will be removed
Thank you
As has been the case throughout the pandemic, we rely on, and appreciate everyone’s ongoing cooperation to enable us to continue to support justice. Please continue to follow the Scottish Government
guidance to help protect yourself and others.