Thorley Stephenson Solicitors Edinburgh Blog

While all areas of business are affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, essential services such as courts and tribunals must ensure minimal disruption to the lives of the public. The criminal justice system is an integral part of society, and as a result, has had to adapt and adopt new working methods to continue running. 

The COVID-19 outbreak has required organisations all over the world to adapt to new ways of working. The Scottish Criminal Courts are in the same position, and as an essential service, the courts must adopt modern technology to continue to function. However, unlike other businesses, the courts face the distinct challenge of balancing the right to a fair trial, with dispensing justice. 

During these unprecedented times, it is vital to ensure we continue to do our best for our clients, whatever the challenge.

Short prison sentences of 12 months or less have been branded ‘ineffective’ and are expected to reduce now that MSPs have voted for a presumption against their use.

There has been a call to ban the declaration of unspent criminal convictions on job applications following a study carried out by the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR). The recent study concluded that potential job applicants appear to be avoiding applying for work on the basis that currently they are required to check a box disclosing their unspent convictions.