Special domestic abuse court pilot scheme starts

Up to 30 cases of domestic abuse could be dealt with each month at a new specialist court due to get up and running this week.

The dedicated court to tackle abuse in the home will be piloted at Livingston Sheriff Court in West Lothian from today.

Officials believe the new system will show they are taking domestic abuse seriously and they hope it will lead to more perpetrators being convicted.

Graeme Jessop, interim district procurator-fiscal at Livingston, said: “We know that many instances of domestic abuse are not reported to the police, but also recognise the difficulties victims encounter in having the strength to come to court, often after years of abuse.

“This pilot allows the prosecution and our victim and information service to continue to show its strong response to this type of crime and to build a better service to victims through strong multi-agency specialist working.”

The court will bring together various organisations currently working with people affected by domestic abuse, such as the Crown Office, police, Victim Support Scotland and the local council’s domestic abuse and sexual assault team.

Under the new set-up, all of the cases will be dealt with in court by dedicated prosecutors and sheriffs.

It is also expected that trials will get under way within eight to ten weeks of an accused’s first appearance in court. The current average is 14 to 16 weeks.