Aberdeen domestic abuse trials to go virtual

Most summary trials in Aberdeen Sheriff Court in domestic abuse cases will be conducted virtually from May this year, under an initiative by Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle.

Only the accused person and their solicitor will have to be present in the court premises under the scheme, which follows a pilot project last year.

It will allow up to nine trials to take place each week, which would otherwise not be able to proceed because of COVID-19 restrictions. It also carries the potential for a national rollout to assist in dealing with the trials backlog post-pandemic. 

Summary trials have been on hold since January due to the impact of lockdown on court proceedings, but this initiative will allow domestic abuse hearings to resume with specific support arrangements in place, provided by Victim Support Scotland for civilian witnesses, both prosecution and defence, to give evidence remotely.

Under the new arrangements, the sheriff will decide that the case is suitable to be heard virtually, and there may be reasons identified, such as vulnerability, which require the case to proceed in person in court.

The accused, the defence solicitor and sheriff will be present in the court building, although normally participating from a non-courtroom setting.

Sheriff Principal Pyle said: "This is an important step in finding imaginative ways to deal with the huge backlog in summary crime caused by the pandemic. It will improve the experience for witnesses but, crucially, the court will ensure that the rights of the accused persons are protected during the trials and at the same time gather evidence on what works and what does not work in the virtual world. I am grateful for the willingness of the local defence solicitors, prosecutors and sheriff court staff, as well as Victim Support Scotland, to support this initiative."

A practice note has been published and is available at this link.