Glasgow Tribunals Centre officially opened
The official opening has been held of the new Glasgow Tribunals Centre.
Lady Smith, President of Scottish Tribunals, and Senior President of Tribunals Sir Ernest Ryder together opened the Atlantic Quay building (20 York Street, Glasgow G2 8GT), which brings under one roof a number of tribunals supported by the Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service and by HM Courts & Tribunals Service.
The tribunals under SCTS are the Housing & Property, Health & Education, and Social Security Chambers of the First-tier Tribunal, and Council Tax Reduction Review Panel, along with the Upper Tribunal for Scotland. The HMCTS tribunal chambers located there cover Social Security & Child Support, and Criminal Injuries Compensation.
The centre provides 34 shared tribunal hearing rooms, nine waiting rooms, a range of consultation rooms, and a public café run by the social enterprise Spoon, creating a flagship facility underpinned with opportunities for further collaboration. There is office accommodation for 40 members of the tribunals’ judiciary and, when fully occupied, it will provide accommodation for around 300 SCTS and HMCTS staff.
Lady Smith President of Scottish Tribunals commented: "This new centre represents another significant development in the ongoing work to move tribunals in Scotland into a modern, independent environment, attuned to the needs of all involved whether from the perspective of user, administration or tribunals judiciary. It will provide tribunals with new opportunities for innovation and improvement. I am particularly pleased that it has been possible to co-locate tribunals whose leadership and administration currently derives from separate systems, and look forward to exploring ways of working that enable us to learn from and support each other."
Sir Ernest Ryder added: "The Glasgow Tribunal Centre is not only a significant exercise in co-operation and joint working between our jurisdictions, it is also a building of the highest quality that embodies an innovative vision for the future. The administration of justice for tribunal users in Scotland will be greatly enhanced as a consequence. I am very grateful to all of those who have worked so hard to deliver this fabulous achievement."