Scotland’s first virtual Sheriff Court case will call today.
The commercial case, between Promontoria (Henrico) Limited and Karen Maciver, will be heard in front of Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle entirely on the court’s new video platform.
Video links have been used in sheriff courts since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak in order to conduct custody proceedings, with the accused appearing from police cells.
Today, involved parties will present their arguments virtually to Sheriff Principal Pyle.
The use of the video platform service comes after virtual courts were successfully introduced in the Court of Session Inner House at the end of April, with plans to extend their use to the Outer House, replacing current telephone hearings.
Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service have said the move to host a virtual courtroom comes after extensive talks with sheriffs principal and the Law Society of Scotland to extend services that can be offered.
Sheriff Principal Pyle said: “In these unprecedented times, it is remarkable how quickly the courts, judiciary and legal profession have grasped the nettle of technology to find solutions.
“There is still a long way to go, but the hearing this week is another step along a road which, over the coming months should revolutionise the way in which sheriff court civil proceedings are conducted.”
