Parliament House backlogs ended, Lord President announces
Thirty years of backlogs in civil and criminal cases in Edinburgh's Parliament House were finally brought to an end this year, the Lord President and Lord Justice General has announced.
Delivering his annual address at the opening of the legal year, Lord Gill described it as a "milestone" that the courts no longer suffered from this "seemingly intractable problem", and congratulated the administrative judges and his other colleagues through whose efforts this had been achieved.
Great progress had also been made, he continued, in the first instance business of the High Court: "Through intensive and skilful case management the average number of preliminary hearings in each prosecution has in two years, been halved. The problem of churning at first instance is now under control and will soon be eliminated for all practical purposes. In June of this year I took the Appeal Court to the great city of Glasgow for two weeks. It was a successful visit in every way and I propose to establish this as a regular practice. From October the High Court in Glasgow will be the dedicated centre for preliminary hearings. This will free up court time for other hearings and effect significant savings in legal aid. I am grateful to Lord Turnbull and the Glasgow judges for having transformed the work of the court."
Turning to court reform, Lord Gill commented that irrespective of the result of the referendum, the courts were "in the middle of a historic programme of national significance which will reform the structure and
the procedures of our civil courts".
These reforms, he emphasised, were not just about process. "They are a means to an end. By creating efficient and responsive courts to bring civil justice to the citizen, we will safeguard and enhance the integrity of Scots law and ensure its survival as a vigorous system. That aim can be achieved only if the efficiency of our courts is matched by the commitment of the profession, and if the judiciary at all levels displays the highest standards of excellence."
He also paid tribute to the Judicial Institute, which had "established an international reputation for the quality of its judicial training", and to the "enthusiasm and commitment" of his judicial colleagues and the Scottish Court Service. "Together we have, I think, created a court that is efficient and responsive to change", he said. "By the end of this year the courts reform legislation will have completed its progress through the Parliament, and by early next year implementation will have begun. It will be an eventful year. I wish you all every success."
Lord Gill concluded by welcoming the four newly appointed Queen's Counsel.