Coronavirus in Scotland: Courts remain open despite stricter lockdown restrictions introduced

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has announced that all Scottish courts are to remain open for business across the country despite certain areas of Scotland heading into level four coronavirus restrictions.

Glasgow High Court (credit: Jamie Callaghan).

The news comes after the Scottish Government announced yesterday that covid protection levels are to be raised for 11 local authority areas from level 3 to level 4 from 6pm on Friday, November 20.

Despite tighter restrictions, Scotland’s courts will remain open under all five restriction levels ‘as the delivery of justice is identified as essential business’, according to the service.

Cinemas will also still be used for the purpose of remote jury trials.

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has emphasised that anyone required to travel to attend a court, including witnesses and the accused, should continue to do so.

Any victim or witness who has concerns about travelling to a location with higher restrictions is reminded that travel to give evidence at court is permitted as essential business.

At this time, access to court buildings is limited to only those directly concerned with court proceedings, or as directed by the judiciary.

A Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service spokesperson said: "You can still attend court as a juror even if you live in a level 3 or 4 local authority area. There are rigorous measures in place in all our buildings to minimise the risk of infection spreading.

"We remind court and tribunal users that it is mandatory to wear a face covering in all communal parts of our buildings, and we will ask you to register for contact tracing."

The latest hygiene measures can be found on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service website.

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