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Plans for overhaul of Scotland's 'antiquated' civil courts Plans for overhaul of Scotland's 'antiquated' civil courts
(about 4 hours later)
Personal injury claims could be heard by a new specialist court under plans due to be published by the Scottish government.Personal injury claims could be heard by a new specialist court under plans due to be published by the Scottish government.
The proposal is part of what has been described as the "largest overhaul of Scotland's courts system in a generation".The proposal is part of what has been described as the "largest overhaul of Scotland's courts system in a generation".
It follows recommendations made by Lord Gill - now the Lord President, Scotland's most senior judge.It follows recommendations made by Lord Gill - now the Lord President, Scotland's most senior judge.
His report said the legal system was "antiquated" and "inadequate".His report said the legal system was "antiquated" and "inadequate".
In his Scottish Civil Courts Review, Lord Gill called for courts to be more responsive to the public's needs - dealing with cases more swiftly and efficiently.In his Scottish Civil Courts Review, Lord Gill called for courts to be more responsive to the public's needs - dealing with cases more swiftly and efficiently.
The Scottish government's court reform consultation is due to be launched later by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.The Scottish government's court reform consultation is due to be launched later by Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill.
It expected to include a proposal for the creation of Scotland's first national personal injury sheriff court, with the aim of allowing these types of cases to be heard by experts in this field and tackling the spiralling cost of such claims.It expected to include a proposal for the creation of Scotland's first national personal injury sheriff court, with the aim of allowing these types of cases to be heard by experts in this field and tackling the spiralling cost of such claims.
Ministers have said the reforms are aimed at overhauling Scotland's Victorian-age civil court system and improving the court process for less serious criminal cases.Ministers have said the reforms are aimed at overhauling Scotland's Victorian-age civil court system and improving the court process for less serious criminal cases.
The plans are also expected to include measures to increase the threshold under which only the Sheriff Court can deal with civil cases from £5,000 to £150,000. They also want an increase in the threshold under which only the Sheriff Court can deal with civil cases from £5,000 to £150,000 so that more can be dealt with locally - freeing up the Court of Session to deal with the most complex disputes.
This will allow more cases to be dealt with at a local level, instead of at the Court of Session, enabling it to focus on the most serious and complex cases.
At the moment civil cases can only be heard in local sheriff courts if the value of the claim is less than £5,000.
Lord Gill carried out a two-year study of Scotland's civil courts system.Lord Gill carried out a two-year study of Scotland's civil courts system.
His report recommended a "major transfer of jurisdiction" from the Court of Session to the sheriff court.His report recommended a "major transfer of jurisdiction" from the Court of Session to the sheriff court.