Wearing photo ID will speed Glasgow Sheriff Court access, lawyers advised

Wearing visible ID will speed up solicitors' entry to Glasgow Sheriff and JP court building without the requirement to go through the security portal, as all members of the public have to do, Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service stated today.

From yesterday, following a review of security across Scottish courts, all regular court users must wear visible photo/ID passes at all times when in the court building. Some solicitors have questioned the new practice, but SCTS pointed out that it accords with longstanding policy.

"The SCTS security policy has been in place in 2005 which requires all SCTS employees, Crown Office employees and regular visitors to court to have ID cards and wear them at all times", a spokesperson said. "We regularly undertake security reviews and in Glasgow it has been confirmed that the wearing of visible identity cards would improve our ability to check those with a legitimate need to be on the court premises. We are seeking the co-operation of staff and others in complying with this essential element. As a result a reminder was issued to staff, justice partners, solicitors, contractors and regular visitors, who must wear visible photo/ID passes at all times within the Glasgow Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court building."

Solciitors can continue to use their Law Society of Scotland smartcards for this purpose.

The security policy also states: "Anyone wishing to enter the court building who does not have or cannot display an appropriate ID card will require to pass through the security portals before entering the court building.”