§ Mr. Fairbairnasked the Lord Advocate how many summary prosecutions have been abandoned as a result of the strike of court officers; and what were the charges that have been abandoned.
The Lord AdvocateIt is not practicable to determine the number of cases which have had to be or may be abandoned as a result of the strike or what charges may be involved.
§ Mr. Fairbairnasked the Lord Advocate how many persons have been convicted of summary offences, sentenced to terms of imprisonment and released since the strike of court officers began.
The Lord AdvocateSince the strike began, no person sentenced to imprisonment following conviction has been released because of industrial action in the courts.
§ Mr. Fairbairnasked the Lord Advocate what delay in the prosecution of (a) summary, (b) sheriff solemn and (c) high court trials has already resulted from the strike of court officers.
The Lord AdvocateSummary trials are proceeding in the district courts and in about a quarter of the sheriff courts. No other prosecutions are proceeding at present. It is not possible to estimate how long these will be delayed.
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§ Mr. Fairbairnasked the Lord Advocate how many cases in the sheriff courts in Scotland (a) summary and (b) sheriff solemn, and how many cases in the High Court have not been commenced which would have started but for the strike of court officers.
The Lord AdvocateIn the High Court 15 cases have been postponed because of the strike. In the sheriff court it is estimated that approximately 5,500 summary cases and approximately 140 sheriff and jury cases have been postponed.