Solicitors plan to hold protest against court closures Tuesday, June 4, 11am at Scottish Parliament as Justice Secretary faces Justice Committee

Court of Session could become a empty court say critics. Scottish Solicitors are organising a demonstration at the Scottish Parliament tomorrow, Tuesday 4 June at 11am, to protest at the planned closure of 10 local sheriff courts.

The protest is planned to coincide with the arrival of Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill at Holyrood, where the Justice Secretary is due to be quizzed by MSPs on the Justice Committee over the proposals.

East Lothian solicitors Angela Craig and Louise Reynolds are objecting in particular to the closure of Haddington Sheriff Court, but are calling on solicitors across Scotland to join them tomorrow at the Scottish Parliament in a joint show of force against Kenny MacAskill’s plans to streamline the old duffer run courts system and make it more efficient.

As well as Haddington, the courts at Selkirk, Duns, Cupar, Arbroath, Stonehaven, Dingwall, Dornoch, Rothesay and Kirkcudbright are due to close, as are seven other justice of the peace courts.

Solicitors fear the closures, along with a planned transfer of the majority of cases currently heard in the Court of Session to the sheriff court, will result in an overload of work in the sheriff courts and long delays in cases, but the Scottish Court Service insist the system can cope with the changes.

There are also objections to the loss of local justice and the effect on parties and witnesses who have to travel longer distances.

A Facebook page "Save Haddington Sheriff Court" has been set up, available HERE

If anyone takes pictures of the protest, send them into us at scottishlawreporter@gmail.com