Dave Thompson MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch has welcomed the publishing of a consultation on the court structure in Scotland issued today.
He said, “Given the Scottish Government commitment to policing and maintaining police numbers, recorded crime is at a 37 year low.
This has had the desirable result, as the consultation refers, of reducing the volume of work in the courts, and it is therefore right at this time of UK financial constraint to consider the future court structure.
“However, I am extremely concerned by the proposal to close Dingwall Sheriff Court, and also the proposal to end High Court Circuit attendance at Inverness.
“My personal opinion, and I will be responding to the consultation, is that the future of Inverness Sheriff court, sitting in the relatively cramped Inverness Castle should also be reviewed.
“The consultation makes mention of the need for proper separation of court participants and this is just as problematic at Inverness as it is at Dingwall Sheriff courts.
“I propose that this consultation is an opportunity to build a new, fit for purpose, state of the art Sherriff court in Dingwall, to replace both Dingwall and Inverness, where travel and communication links are every bit as good as in Inverness.
“This would have the benefit that the considerable asset of Inverness Castle, which is already an iconic part of Highland tourism, could be redeveloped to maximise this tourist potential.
“While the consultation makes mention of ad-hoc High Court sessions in other locations than Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, I will also be seeking to keep a Highland location on the High Court circuit.”
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