Today we have published the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) three-year Corporate Plan for 2023-26 and our annual Business Plan for 2023-24.

On publishing the plans for the SCTS, Eric McQueen, Chief Executive said:

“Over the past three years, the focus for all organisations has been responding to – and recovering from – the COVID pandemic. Whilst challenging, this period has transformed the landscape in which we operate. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has been privileged to play a leading role in significant reforms across Scotland’s justice system during that time.

“As we look forward there are still challenges to address, but real progress to build on as we seek to realise future ambitions, in collaboration with the wider justice sector.

“In support of the criminal justice system, our recovery programme is making significant inroads and will continue over the next three years. A key component in the transformation of the criminal justice system will be the implementation of the Lord Justice Clerk’s review into the management of sexual offence cases. Legislation is required to successfully deliver many of its recommendations and we look forward to supporting the development and implementation of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill recently introduced to Parliament.

“At the heart of our civil reform agenda is our ambition to complete the transformation of the way in which we manage civil business – developing a fully digital end-to-end service.

“In the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) and Accountant of Court, our work will include a new case management system – providing direct access to information and services for the public, legal profession, financial institutions and the NHS.

“Tribunals’ reform will also continue, with further migrations into the First-Tier Tribunal for Scotland Chamber structure and the expansion of the Upper Tribunal for Scotland, supporting the vision of providing judicially-led tribunals that are modern, efficient and user-focused.

“I would like to thank our partners and staff for all their support of the work of Scotland’s courts, tribunals and the OPG over the past three years. As we move forward, mindful that we must work within the constraints of a challenging economic outlook, we will continue to help shape and support the Scottish Government’s Vision for Justice, working across the system to improve the services we provide.”