Major court reforms under spotlight at Faculty event

The Faculty of Advocates is hosting a conference to explore the most significant structural reforms of the Scottish court system in more than 150 years.

The Edinburgh event, Court Reform: The New Law, marks implementation of key provisions of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act.

Speakers include the Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse MSP, and the Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Carloway.

Craig Scott QC, Deputy President of the Sheriff Appeal Court, and Advocate Claire Mitchell will examine the Sheriff Appeal Court, while Robert Milligan QC and Gordon Dalyell, from Digby Brown, will look at the Personal Injury Court. Speakers on Civil Justice: The New Rules will include David Sheldon QC and Ruth Crawford QC.

James Wolffe QC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, will welcome guests and give an introduction to the event at the Mackenzie Building, Old Assembly Close, High Street, on 18 September.

He said: "The Court Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 will make the most significant structural changes to the civil justice system in Scotland for at least 150 years. Key provisions of the Act will come into force on 22 September, at the start of the legal year. This Conference will mark that event - and it should be of interest to anyone involved in civil litigation in Scotland."

The conference will be followed by lunch. For more information and to register, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/court-reform-the-new-law-tickets-17950336941