Jury trials to return to the islands in spring

Jury trials should return to Scotland's island courts in the spring, Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service has announced.

Since July, trials in Grampian, Highland & Islands have been transferred to Aberdeen, Inverness or Peterhead sheriff court due to problems with prisoner escort contractors GEOAmey, which have resulted in disruption to courts across the country.

SCTS said that following assurances from the company that they will be able to resource the courts properly from spring 2024, Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle has instructed that jury trials should resume from then in the five island courts in the sheriffdom – Lerwick, Kirkwall, Portree, Stornoway and Lochmaddy – as well as in Wick. Planning with local justice partners is now underway.

The sheriff principal will continue to keep the effectiveness of the arrangements under close review.