Scottish criminal appeal business now postponed
Criminal appeal hearings in the High Court and Sheriff Appeal Court have now been put off until after 17 April.
New guidance from the courts, released today, also states that to facilitate the continued efficient disposal of appeal court business during the COVID-19 emergency, any documents lodged in respect of either court can be submitted by email, to summaryappeals@scotcourts.gov.uk or solemnappeals@scotcourts.gov.uk. Documents must to be lodged timeously. Scanned signatures will be acceptable. Principal copies of any document requiring a wet signature will require to be lodged on a later date.
All procedural and full appeal hearings fixed up to and including 17 April 2020 will automatically be reassigned. However, until that date, where the appellant and Crown agree, a hearing may proceed on the basis of written submissions before the court.
Interim liberation hearings will continue to be considered. Full written submissions should be made in support, and copied to Crown Office. The matter will be considered without the need for personal appearance.
The guidance will be subject to ongoing review, and will cease to have effect from 18 April unless extended.