The Court of Session is to become the first court in Scotland with a regular live streaming service, allowing cases to be viewed remotely by the public.
Inner House cases held publicly will be live streamed from today (27 June), improving access, openness, and transparency within the court.
The Court of Session Live project builds on the success of live streaming which has already taken place in a number of cases.
New equipment has been installed in Court 1 at Parliament House in Edinburgh and will be controlled by a camera operator to ensure high standards of audio and visual output.
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) website will also be updated with details of the new service and provide information on upcoming cases, including the first instance opinion, a case summary, and a link to the live feed.
This will allow the public, academics and the media improved access to substantive hearings, supporting the principle of open justice.
Inner House judge Lord Pentland, who is leading the project, said: “Justice being dispensed in public is one of the most fundamental principles we have in this country and absolutely central to the running of the justice system. It reinforces the independence, integrity and stability of our courts.
“Technology presents us with the opportunity to widen public access and make the courts more visible and accessible. We must seize that opportunity and ensure that the principle of open justice continues to be upheld in a world where almost everything can be done online.
“The launch of Court of Session Live will help to inform and educate the public about the work of the judiciary and the court, and allow interested parties to view proceedings when they are unable to attend in person.
“It will provide the media with greater access to cases to assist with informed and accurate reporting, and allow academics and students to engage with the court process in a more convenient way.
“This is an exciting initiative for the courts and an important step in ensuring justice is seen to be done in a manner fit for a modern court system.”
Eric McQueen, Chief Executive of SCTS added: “Digital innovation is changing the way in which we work and how we communicate.
“The technology we now have at our disposal means that we can open up the courts to a wider audience – without the need for physical attendance – increasing both access to justice and transparency of the courts.
“The launch of Court of Session Live is a further significant step along the road, using digital innovation where appropriate to support justice.”
Details of cases to be live streamed can be found on the Court of Session Live webpage on the SCTS website.
The first case to be live streamed under the new service is Lagan Construction Group Limited v Scots Roads Partnership & Ferrovial Construction, which takes place today (27 June).