The Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC) has today published its Annual Programme for 2013/14.
The Annual Programme sets out in detail what the SCJC does and how it intends to engage with a range of individuals and groups across the civil justice system. To this end, the SCJC has established committees to consider topics such as personal injury, family law, access to justice, ICT and costs and funding. It has also established a Rules Rewrite Working Group to consider the approach to the many rules revisions required to implement civil courts reform. Each of these committees is served by members with specialist expertise.
The Lord President, the Right Honourable Lord Gill, and Chair of the SCJC, has noted the good progress that the SCJC has made to date. Commenting on the publication of the Annual Programme, Lord Gill said:
“The programme of civil courts reform on which we are about to embark is a momentous development in the law of Scotland. The Scottish Civil Justice Council will be vital in ensuring the success of the changes and that our civil justice system remains responsive to modern society.”
The SCJC will give particular focus to the three major justice reform initiatives being taken forward through the Scottish Government’s Making Justice Work programme. These are:
- implementation of the Scottish Civil Court Review recommendations and the forthcoming Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill;
- the recommendations of Sheriff Principal Taylor’s Review on Expenses and Funding of Civil Litigation in Scotland; and
- the Tribunals (Scotland) Bill.
Notes for Editors:
The SCJC was established on 28 May 2013 under the Scottish Civil Justice Council and Criminal Legal Assistance Act 2013. The statutory functions of the SCJC include:
- keeping the civil justice system under review;
- reviewing the practice and procedure followed in the Court of Session and in civil cases in the sheriff court;
- preparing draft rules of procedure for the civil courts; and
- advising and making recommendations on the development of and changes to the civil justice system in Scotland.
Contact Details:
SCJC website www.scottishciviljusticecouncil.gov.uk.
For further information please contact: Lisa Gamble, at scjc@scotcourts.gov.uk / Tel: 0131 240 6776