Inverness Justice Centre construction work begins

Work has begun on Scotland’s first purpose-built Justice Centre, in Inverness. 

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson, Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service chief executive Eric McQueen and Grampian, Highland & Islands Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle officially broke the ground at the start of construction yesterday.

Due to complete in late 2019, the complex will provide modern court and tribunal facilities, as well as housing a range of justice and support organisations providing integrated facilities for victims, witnesses, litigants and other users. Specialist facilities for children and young people are incorporated in the design.

Within the court complex, criminal courts are located on the first floor and civil courts and tribunal spaces on the ground floor, segregating building users. The six new courtrooms will incorporate the latest digital technologies. Separate and discrete areas will be created for jurors, witnesses and the local faculty.

Organisations and services to be supported in the justice centre include citizens' advice, Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service, Families Outside, Highland Council (Criminal Justice Social Work), HMCTS (Social Security and Child Support Tribunal, Employment Tribunal), NHS Highland, Police Scotland, Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service, Sottish Women’s Aid and
Witness Service/Victim Support Scotland.

Mr McQueen commented: "Inverness Justice Centre is in a unique opportunity to bring organisations together, focusing where practical on problem-solving approaches to reduce reoffending and increase the opportunity for community sentencing.

"The centre will represent the changing face of justice by including facilities and technology to remove the need for children to appear in person in court and to support the development of digital case management for summary crime in the future."