Restrictions on virtual hearings
Do not share access details for virtual hearings. Access is provided to you, the individual, and in accessing a case via the details provided, you are agreeing to the conditions set out below.
Please be aware that some court cases can deal with distressing details.
Media restrictions on virtual hearings
You will be able to listen to proceedings but will not see the participants.
Anyone failing to obey or respect the authority of the Court may be subject to Contempt of Court proceedings. In particular, those accessing a hearing:
- must not record or store the proceedings
- must not broadcast the proceedings
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service retain the copyright of live audio recordings of Court proceedings. Although you are welcome to listen to the proceedings, the re-use, capture, re-editing or redistribution of the material in any form is not
permitted. You should be aware that any such use could attract liability for breach of copyright or defamation, in addition to the possibility of contempt of court proceedings.
In a physical court, access is provided on a first come first served basis. Although a significantly larger number of people can be accommodated through remote access, the hearing will close if audio capacity is reached.
Use of social media during a virtual hearing
Members of the public must not, during the course of a virtual hearing, comment on the proceedings using any social media platform in relation to: jury trials; cases involving sexual offences; or cases where the participants cannot legally be identified.
Any social media comment in relation to the proceedings of other types of court case during the course of a hearing:
- must be fair and accurate
- must not be in Contempt of Court
- must not be prejudicial to the court case
Each individual accessing the case should be personally aware of the legal restrictions of use and for this reason the meeting code should not be shared.