Scots Crown Office prosecution of journalist Andy Coulson moved for third time, four week trial expected to cost more than £2m over perjury allegations in Sheridan case

Coulson trial date moved for third time. THE TRIAL of Andy Coulson, the former editor of the News of the World, for alleged perjury is due to start this Friday 15 May 2015 after being moved several times.

The trial - HMA v Andrew Coulson – is the only case resulting from a multi million pound Scottish Police operation condemned “Operation Rubicon” .

The trial is expected to last up to four weeks and cost taxpayers more than two million pounds.

Coulson, who went on to become David Cameron’s director of communications after leaving the News of the World, is accused of lying on oath during the trial of Solidarity party leader and former MSP, Tommy Sheridan, for perjury in Glasgow in December 2010. Sheridan was later convicted of perjury and sentenced to three years in prison.

Mr Coulson denies all of the charges against him

Scotland's Judicial Office initially said: "The trial diet in the case of HM Advocate v Andrew Coulson, previously set for Monday 11 May 2015, has been adjourned. The case will now call at 10am on Tuesday 12 May at the High Court in Edinburgh (Lawnmarket Court 3), to deal with any outstanding procedural matters and to fix another date for the trial to proceed."

The Judicial Office then updated their statement with another change of date: "A new trial diet in the case of HM Advocate v Andrew Coulson has been fixed following a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh. The case will call at 10am on Friday 15 May 2015 at Edinburgh High Court (Lawnmarket Court 3).”

Coulson, the former editor of the News of the World who became Downing Street director of communications after Cameron came to power in 2010, was due to face a jury during the last weeks of this year's general election campaign, however legal argument led to the case being postponed until this week, removing a potential political embarrassment for the prime minister before the polls closed.

Coulson is charged with three counts of perjury relating to testimony he gave in the 2010 trial of Scottish politician Tommy Sheridan. The former News International journalist, who was working for Downing Street at the time, was called by the defence to answer questions about his role at the now defunct News of the World and his knowledge of the illegal interception of voicemails carried out by the newspaper's staff while he was editor. Sheridan was later convicted of perjury and sentenced to three years in prison and Coulson resigned from the government a month later.

In the wake of the 2011 phone-hacking scandal, Strathclyde Police launched "Operation Rubicon" to investigate allegations of misconduct at Sheridan's trial. As a result, in 2012 seven Scottish police officers detained the former editor at his home in Dulwich, South London at 6.30am and drove him to Glasgow. Shortly afterwards he was arrested and charged.

Also facing legal action are the paper's former Scottish editor Bob Bird and  senior reporter Douglas Wight. However Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland of the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has not announced any decision on whether prosecutors will proceed in the remaining two cases.

A similar operation run in England & Wales by the Crown Prosecution Service called "Operation Elveden", costing the public over £20 million has all but collapsed.

Nine out of the remaining twelve prosecutions against journalists – which included Andy Coulson - have been dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the entire operation branded an expensive taxpayer funded political witch hunt against the media.

Four more reporters were cleared at the Old Bailey of bribing public officials, taking the total number found not guilty by a jury to 14

An urgent review of the £20 million investigation was ordered last month, after the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction of former News of the World reporter Lucy Panton, who was the first reporter to be found guilty.

Matthew Vickers heads to Ombudsman Services as Scottish Legal Complaints Commission lose another Chief Executive

Matthew Vickers, SLCC CEO resigns for mediation role. THE Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) – the ever popular sinkhole of the £320 a year complaints levy - has announced the resignation of it’s current Chief Executive - Matthew Vickers - who steps down in March 2015 for a post in the world of big business mediation.

Mr Vickers took on the CEO role at the SLCC during summer of 2012 making him the third ‘appointed’ Chief Executive not counting two civil servants who filled the post before the SLCC became operational in 2008. Vickers is leaving to take up the role of Deputy Chief Ombudsman at Ombudsman Services - a not-for-profit organisation which provides independent dispute resolution for the communication, energy and property sectors. 

Commenting on the resignation SLCC chair, Bill Brackenridge said: “We are grateful to Matt for his leadership and contribution since he joined the SLCC as CEO in June 2012. He and the management and staff have worked hard to make the SLCC a more efficient, effective and influential organisation. We are now well established as an independent and impartial body. Of course, we recognise that there is a great deal of work to be done and we have started our search to find a CEO who will help us to tackle it."

Law Scandal hits Borders law firm: Lawyer Andrew Penman suspended, Stormonth Darling Solicitors taken over by Law Society in scandal linked to client complaints & Court of Session case

Andrew Penman – suspended by Law Society. A SOLICITOR from the Scottish Borders who was once accused by Law Society investigators of faking up evidence in files and deliberately deceiving banks and the Inland Revenue has been suspended by the Law Society of Scotland after a string of scandals relating to his clients legal affairs and dodgy legal practices.

ANDREW PATERSON PENMAN, solicitor with the Kelso law firm of Stormonth Darling Solicitors was suspended late last year by the Law Society of Scotland, who quietly announced Penman’s suspension in the Gazette: Notice is hereby given that the practising certificate of ANDREW PATERSON PENMAN, solicitor, Stormonth Darling, Bank of Scotland Buildings, 8/9 The Square, Kelso, TD5 7HQ was suspended under Sections 39a and 40 of the Solicitors’ (Scotland) Act 1980 with effect from 2 October 2014.

The order announcing Penman's suspension was ironically signed by James Ness, Deputy Registrar – the same solicitor who once defended Penman during a Complaints Committee hearing. Ness - a partner at Austins Solicitors, Dalbeattie, Dumfries & Galloway - represented Penman at Law Society complaints hearings. Ness gave a submission at the time demanding the Complaints Committee change its decision from one of prosecuting Penman before the Scottish Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal – to a slap on the wrist. The move was controversial and heavily reported in the national and local press at the time.

Penman has now been linked to a case in the Court of Session - Ladykirk Estates Limited, Academy House, Shedden Park Road, Kelso, (Ledingham Chalmers Llp) V Roxburghshire AG V Stormonth Darling W.S. Solicitors, Drew Penman, Terry Mcnally and Craig Wood, Bank Of Scotland Buildings, The Square, Kelso, Roxburghshire

Court staff have indicated the case is one of a significant financial claim against Penman and other solicitors based at Stormonth Darling in Kelso.

Andrew Paterson Penman was employed as a Director (SOLICITOR) at LADYKIRK ESTATES LIMITED from 01 June 2007 to 17 September 2012 , Company address: LADYKIRK ESTATES LIMITED ACADEMY HOUSE, SHEDDEN PARK ROAD, KELSO, ROXBURGHSHIRE, TD5 7AL

Andrew Paterson Penman was also employed as a Director (SOLICITOR) at S.P.C. BORDERS from 31 January 2006 to 30 November 2014 Company address: S.P.C. BORDERS 27 MARKET STREET, GALASHIELS, TD1 3AF

It has also been revealed Penman and his law firm are being investigated by the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission & Law Society of Scotland in connection with a number of complaints made by clients where substantial sums of money into hundreds of thousands of pounds along with queries regarding unpaid rent and disappeared funds are alleged.

Solicitor Craig Wood - the only remaining solicitor at Stormonth Darling ‘took ill’ leading to the Law Society closing the firm down. It has since been announced another local law firm, Cullen Kilshaw, has agreed to take on some of the business of Stormonth Darling.

In 2009, Scottish Law Reporter covered a story relating to Ladykirk Estates & Andrew ‘Drew’ Penman – after both lost a legal challenge in Scotland’s Land Court. LadyKirk Estates objected to the transfer of a farm tenancy from an elderly tenant to his younger nephew. Ladykirk had also claimed their ECHR rights had been in breach. Full report HERE

CHEQUERED HISTORY OF BORDERS LAWYER WHO RUINED CLIENTS:

Penman – Originally from Hawick then moved to Kelso to work at Stormonth Darling Solicitors, has been subject to numerous complaints from local clients in the Scottish Borders over the years, One investigation carried out by the Law Society of Scotland issued reports finding Penman had deliberately rearranged evidence before investigating officers took possession of the files in an attempt to prevent the Law Society’s own reporter from investigating the circumstances of the losses. The Law Society investigating reporter found “there was also evidence of what appeared to be a bungled and unsuccessful attempt to put the file into order

Law Society found Andrew Penman deliberately mislead Royal Bank of Scotland, amounting to professional misconduct. Page two of the Law Society report said : “The reporter noted there was a complete failure on the part of Messrs. P. & J. Stormonth-Darling to deal with this matter. They completely failed to acknowledge the instructions they had received from the Royal Bank in this connection and failed to take any steps to deal with the matter. The reporter was of the view that the substantial and unnecessary delays which had taken place in the executry might amount not only to an inadequate professional service on the part of Messrs. P.& J. Stormonth Darling but professional misconduct on the part of Mr Penman the solicitor dealing with the matter up until the time the complaint was lodged with the Law Society on 17th October 1994. Further the reporter was of the view that the apparent deliberate attempt to mislead the Royal Bank in regard to the Banco di Roma account may amount to professional misconduct.”

The Law Society investigating lawyer went onto demand a prosecution of Andrew Penman, saying : “In respect of the extraordinary delays and the repeated failures to respond to correspondence and the apparent, deliberate attempt to mislead the Royal Bank the reporter was of the view that the professional misconduct was such that it would warrant prosecution before the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal The reporter was or the view that there had clearly been an inadequate professional service but in the, event of a referral to the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal this would be incorporated into the complaint.”

In several damning verdicts, the Law Society’s investigating officer found that Penman had DELIBERATELY MISLED the Royal Bank of Scotland, while documents involving correspondence from the then INLAND REVENUE now Her Majesty’s Revenue & Custons (HMRC) showed Penman had also deliberately misled tax inspectors after vast sums of money disappeared from the deceased’s estate in an organised attempt by the Executor, a Borders Accountant identified as Norman Howitt to pay the monies over to the deceased’s wife and then into a SECRET TRUST FUND controlled by Howitt himself and revealed in an article on Scottish Law Reporter in 2007, HERE where evidence revealed Howitt had INCREDIBLY even taken possession of the deceased’s widow’s pension book.

Law Society Complaints Committee said Andrew Penman mislead the Royal Bank, was a failure at handling an executry. The Committee’s consideration of the investigating lawyer’s findings revealed : “The Committee expressed grave concern at the way that this executry had been handled by Mr. Penman and the extraordinary delays and the complete failure to deal with correspondence in an adequate manner, The Committee were of the: view that there: had been very poor attention paid to the administration of this estate and that whilst the complainer's uncertainty in certain matters might have caused some confusion there was a general lack of effort on the part of the solicitors to deal with matters in a reasonable manner.. It was noted in connection with the proposed loan by the Royal Bank. to the complainer there was a complete and utter failure to deal with the matter in any way or even to acknowledge the instructions. In connection with the Banco di Roma account the Committee noted the failure on the part of Mr. Penman to deal with matters in a reasonable way. They were particularly concerned at the terms of the letter written by Mr. Penman to the Royal Bank on 29th September 1992 which appeared to be an attempt to mislead the Royal Bank into believing that matters were being actively dealt with when they were not.”

“The Committee concurred with the views of the reporter in this matter indicating that the apparent attempt to mislead the Royal Bank persuaded them that Mr Penman's acting in the matter were so serious and reprehensible as to amount to professional misconduct. The Committee thereafter considered whether the professional misconduct was such that it would warrant referral to the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal. The Committee were of the view that the administration of the executry had been so appallingly badly done as to take the issue out of service into that of conduct and coupled with the apparent attempt to mislead the Royal Bank the conduct was such that it would warrant prosecution before the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal. The Committee were of the view that Mr, Penman's acting in respect of the extra-ordinary delays and failure to progress the administration of the executry and in apparently misleading the Royal Bank of Scotland were so serious and reprehensible as to amount to professional misconduct. The Committee determined to recommend to Council that Mr. Penman be prosecuted before the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal in relation to the professional misconduct and the service provided and any other matter which the Fiscal feels appropriate.”

The actions of Penman were so severe the Law Society’s reporter demanded Penman be prosecuted before the SCOTTISH SOLICITORS DISCIPLINE TRIBUNAL and struck off due to the seriousness of his actions, however a secret deal was brokered between a key Law Society official, James Ness and the then Complaints Committee to commute Penman’s punishment and reverse the prosecution, thought to be the first & only case of its kind ever happening at the Law Society. The deal to reverse the prosecution was branded “corrupt” by many legal insiders and the wider media.

HEDGE FUND JUDGE SUSPENDED: Sheriff Peter Watson removed from bench by Lord Justice General over multi million pound summons linked to £400m Heather Capital fraud probe

Sheriff Peter Watson kicked off bench. A SHERIFF linked to the collapsed £400m Heather Capital hedge fund probe and multi million pound claims against Scots law firms has been suspended by Scotland’s top judge Lord Brian Gill – in order to maintain public confidence in the judiciary.

PETER BLACK WATSON (61) - known formerly as a ‘top’ media lawyer with close links to political figures such as Alex Salmond, Police, and even prosecutors - has been kicked off the judicial bench by the Lord Justice General Lord Gill – after the judge concluded Watson’s offer to step aside was “not appropriate”.

BUT it can now be revealed – action by Gill (73) only came about after the Judicial Office was asked by the media to comment on allegations against the sheriff contained in a multi million pound claim lodged against Watson’s former law firm – Glasgow based Levy & Mcrae.

Watson, the go-to-lawyer for those who sought to quell media interest in their activities – was based at Levy & Mcrae until last year. He inexplicably departed after a long career at the firm, and started PBWLaw. Watson, a regular to the Cayman Islands tax haven – according to media editorials - claims he wants to make it the "Harley Street of legal advice".

Concerns over his position as a  member of the judiciary arose due to the fact Watson was a director of Mathon Ltd – a key part of the Heather Capital empire run by Gregory King – who is one of four men now the subject of reports by Police Scotland to the Crown Office.

Scotland’s Lord Advocate is currently considering possible criminal charges in connection with the hedge fund probe, but at this time, Watson has not been named by the Crown Office as someone under investigation.

However, the Crown Office may face a conflict of interest dilemma as Watson- known to many ‘independent Crown Counsel’ - has personal links to former Crown Office boss - Lord Advocate Dame Elish Angiolini DBE QC (nee McPhilomy) – who used Watson’s legal services – paid for by the Crown Office & Scottish Ministers - to pursue anti-abuse campaigner Robert Green who called for an inquiry into allegations of mishandled cases relating to historical abuse claims.

The Judicial Office issued the following statement:

Statement from the Judicial Office for Scotland on the suspension of part-time sheriff Peter Watson

Sheriff Peter Watson was suspended from the office of part-time sheriff on 16 February 2015, in terms of section 34 of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008.

“On Friday 13 February the Judicial Office was made aware of the existence of a summons containing certain allegations against a number of individuals including part-time sheriff Peter Watson.

The Lord President’s Private Office immediately contacted Mr Watson and he offered not to sit as a part-time sheriff on a voluntary basis, pending the outcome of those proceedings.

Mr Watson e-mailed a copy of the summons to the Lord President’s Private Office on Saturday 14 February.

On Monday 16 February the Lord President considered the matter.

Having been shown the summons, the Lord President concluded that in the circumstances a voluntary de-rostering was not appropriate and that suspension was necessary in order to maintain public confidence in the judiciary.

Mr Watson was therefore duly suspended from office on Monday 16 February 2015.”

LAW CHIEF’S SON IN VIOLENCE RAP: Scotland’s Solicitor General’s son is convicted of domestic violence attack on female partner

Top prosecutor’s son convicted of domestic violence. THE SON of Scotland’s Solicitor General has been convicted of attacking his girlfriend, while his mother is supposed to be in charge of efforts to tackle domestic abuse.

Andrew Thomson (27) who was previously convicted of drink driving and banned from driving for 18 months – admitted assaulting his partner at a property in Glasgow in January.

His mother –  Lesley Thomson QC - once thought to be in the running to replace Frank Mulholland as Lord Advocate – backed the now failed MacAskill proposal to abolish CORROBORATION – a long held safeguard against miscarriage of justice in Scots law where evidence in a criminal trial is required from two separate sources for a conviction

Thomson and others including the Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland, Police Scotland and interest parties campaigned vigorously for the removal of corroboration.

Speaking at a Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Services annual Sexual Offences Conference at Hampden in Glasgow Thomson said: "Many of those opposed to the abolition of the requirement of corroboration advance arguments that it will lead to a greater risk of and greater numbers of miscarriages of justice. However, it is clear that it is the present system which creates many victims of miscarriages of justice."

However it came to be known the Crown Office were enthusiastic about the removal of the right from law – because it interfered with dodgy evidence presented by prosecutors in court which did not stand up to scrutiny or cross examination. Prosecutors effectively promoted the removal of corroboration in an effort to assist the Crown Office in obtaining higher rates of convictions.

The proposal to remove the right of corroboration was effectively shelved after Scotland’s top judge warned the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee against meddling with legal safeguards which cut across almost any criminal offence in law – ensuring the right to a fair trial.

Report from Scottish Mail on Sunday:

TOP LAW OFFICER’S SON, 27, GUILTY OF ATTACKING GIRLFRIEND

By Fiona McWhirter Mail on Sunday 8 March 2015

THE son of Scotland's Solicitor General has been convicted of attacking his girlfriend - as his mother leads nationwide efforts to tackle domestic abuse.

Andrew Thomson, 27, admitted assaulting his partner at a property in Glasgow in January.

His mother, Lesley Thomson, QC, has attracted widespread acclaim for her efforts to toughen up the law concerning assaults in the home.

As the nation's second most senior prosecutor, she has been pushing for a criminal offence to combat domestic violence against women, calling on Scotland to develop a 'modern approach' to deal with the 'emotional damage caused, as well as the physical harm' to victims.

Her move has received support from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, police, prosecutors and politicians across the board.

Ms Thomson's son, whose address was given in court papers as being in the West End of Glasgow, had been due to be sentenced at the city's sheriff court on February 27, after admitting pushing his partner and causing her to fall over a table.

Sentence was deferred until August for good behaviour and the sheriff called for a supplementary social work report.

Domestic abuse is at present dealt with through a range of criminal offences, including assault, breach of the peace and crimes against property. But following Ms Thomson's efforts to force it onto the political agenda, greater priority is now given by Police Scotland to domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse and rape task forces operate throughout Scotland. In 2013-14, police referred 36,552 domestic assaults to the Crown Office andProcurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), a significant rise on the number of cases - around 27,000 - recorded in each of the two previous years.

In 2013, COPFS - which defines domestic abuse as 'any form of physical, sexual or mental and emotional abuse which might amount to criminal conductand which takes place within the context of a relationship' - boosted its efforts to tackle the issue with the introduction of a specialist national procurator fiscal for domestic abuse, Anne Marie Hicks.

Ms Thomson revealed she had asked the fiscal to review all areas of COPFS work and training in relation to the issue and stressed: "Cases involvingdomestic abuse are often among the most challenging faced by prosecutors, but that does not deter us from putting the interests of the victims in such cases at the heart of our prosecution policy."

She also raised the prospect of a specific offence when she spoke at a COPFS conference focusing on the subject.

Referring to separate stalking laws passed in 2010, the Solicitor General told delegates last year: "Domestic abuse is, in my view, another area in which specialist legislation has a role to play.

"It has the potential to effect further change in societal attitudes, to instill confidence in victims and, of course, to ensure their abusers are held to account."

She added: "Creating a specific offence of domestic abuse is one way in which we could ensure that our criminal law is, and remains, fit for purpose."

"It would help victims by acknowledging the true impact and consequences of all types of abusive behaviours, including non-violent tactics of control andabuse, and would solidify Scotland's position as a leader in the field of tackling violence against women."

In November, when Miss Sturgeon became First Minister, she unveiled 12 Bills as part of her debut legislative programme, including ramping up action against domestic abuse.

She said the Scottish Government would consult on the introduction of a specific criminal offence to combat the problem.

Last night, a Crown Office spokesman said: "The Solicitor General's position on domestic abuse is well known and has been widely welcomed."

"She is a leading advocate of measures to deal with domestic violence more effectively."

"She has led the approach within Scotland's prosecution service, working closely with the police and those who support victims of domestic abuse to strengthen prosecution in this area."

In 2013, Andrew Thomson was banned from driving for 18 months and fined £1,100 after he drove into a marquee while more than twice the drink-driving limit.

At Oban Sheriff Court, he admitted driving dangerously, without insurance and mounting a grass verge and going into the side of a marquee near Port Ellen on the island of Islay.

'Ensure abusers are held to account''Such cases are often the most challenging'

Digitally recorded statements could lead to miscarriage of justice as Evidence and Procedure Review calls for recordings of witness testimony to be admitted as evidence at trials

Courts proposal on taped witness statements could skew justice A REPORT published today by the Scottish Court Service claims digital technology should be used to “transform our criminal justice system” and ‘capture’ evidence from witnesses in advance of a criminal trial.

The review, chaired by a senior judge concludes witness accounts recorded at or soon after the scene of a crime should be admissible at trial, and criminal trial procedure should be re-thought to permit such developments.

In response, solicitors say the latest round of politically rooted meddling in the justice system contains little in the way of safeguards for accused and protections for the right to a fair trial.

The Evidence and Procedure Review  – chaired by Lord Carloway - calls for Scotland to harness the opportunities that new technologies bring to improve the quality and accessibility of justice – by recording statements from witnesses in advance of criminal proceedings. The Evidence and Procedure Review was an internal Scottish Court Service research project led by the Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Carloway, supported by a small reference group and a full-time Project Director.

However, legal insiders say the proposals are of serious concern to how the justice system deals with witnesses and the rights of all accused persons – who have the right to test evidence put forward by the prosecution in court.

The move – which some see as a plan to substitute dodgy witnesses for a video recording - may also increase a growing trend in criminal trials where it has become obvious witnesses have been ‘coached’ by prosecutors in their delivery of evidence while under oath.

The growing trend of dodgy evidence presented in court by the crown - an issue familiar to many experienced criminal defence solicitors and counsel -  has now reached a point in Scotland where trials attract regular criticism from the bench of crown agents conduct and the incredulity of witness testimony – among them – statements given by serving Police Officers.

Published here: the Evidence and Procedure Review consists of five Chapters:

Chapter 1 introduces the Review, its remit and details the considerations that led to the Review taking place.

Chapter 2 considers how children and vulnerable witnesses are treated in Scotland, Australia, England and Wales and Norway, and concludes that Scotland there is more that we could to improve the way in which such witnesses are required to give evidence. 

Chapter 3 looks at the legal issues raised if witness statements recorded prior to trial are to be generally admissible.   It reviews the law on hearsay, under which such statements are currently generally excluded, and considers the implications of a rule that would provide for their general admissibility. 

Chapter 4 considers how criminal procedures would have to change to accommodate and take full advantage of the availability of such evidence; it also covers how the infrastructure of the justice system, both in terms of the technology available and the nature of facilities in the courts, police offices and elsewhere will have to be rendered fit to undertake the tasks of recording, editing, storing and presentation of such testimony.

Chapter 5 provides some concluding remarks.

A statement released by the Scottish Court Service said: “We need to rethink what constitutes the best evidence at trial – and this may mean a transformation in the way the evidence of witnesses in general is captured and presented.  It is highly likely that a witness account taken at the scene of a crime or shortly after will be more reliable, full and accurate than their attempt to recall what happened many months later in court. The Report explores what legal and other changes need to be made to allow pre-recorded witness statements to be admitted as direct evidence, and what safeguards need to be in place. There are, potentially, great benefits – these include greater accuracy and reliability of the evidence; the ability to manage cases more effectively; and less reliance on witnesses turning up at court on the trial day.

Scotland needs to move to the forefront of law and practice in relation to children and vulnerable witnesses.There’s extensive evidence that giving testimony at court is especially distressing and potentially damaging for young and vulnerable witnesses; and it is a poor way to get good evidence from them. Although Scotland does have a range of protections available, experience elsewhere, such as in England and Wales, Australia and Norway, suggests we can go further to protect such witnesses and ensure their evidence is taken in the most appropriate way in advance of the trial.

The Report is a starting point for developing ideas and proposals – it aims to be a catalyst for developing reforms that will bring a better experience for those called to give evidence in criminal proceedings, a system of justice that deals with cases speedily, effectively and fairly, and one which remains relevant, trusted and respected by the Scottish people.  The Scottish Court Service will now work with the Scottish Government, other justice agencies, the legal professions and victims groups to explore the implications of the report’s propositions and develop proposals for change.”

Chief Executive of the Scottish Courts Service - Eric McQueen said: “This Report aims to stimulate discussion about the very nature of criminal trials - how do we ensure the testimony of witnesses is as reliable, accurate and complete as it could be; how do we eliminate unnecessary delays and preserve a fair, transparent and just system; how do we make sure that  young and vulnerable witnesses  are safeguarded against further trauma?

"The propositions in this Report could transform our criminal justice system.  We now need work through their implications with everyone with an interest, so that the proposals that emerge are ambitious, workable and will help create a modern, fair and efficient criminal justice system for the digital age.”

Speaking to Scottish Law Reporter earlier today, a criminal defence solicitor said “The proposals presented by the SCS are just another politically motivated ‘think-of-the-PR project’ with little real regard for the interests of justice or the right to a fair hearing”.

James Wolffe QC, Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, promised to consider the report's conclusions in detail but in an initial response said: "It is fundamental to the rule of law that an accused person should be able to challenge and test the evidence led by the prosecution. That is the mechanism by which we, in Scotland, seek to ensure that only the guilty are convicted. All of us have an interest in securing the sound administration of justice in Scotland – and, used appropriately, technology may provide opportunities for improving that system."

Lord Carloway – who chaired the report – previously called for the removal of CORROBORATION – a long held safeguard against miscarriage of justice in Scots law where evidence in a criminal trial is required from two separate sources for a conviction.

The plot to remove corroboration was instituted by the now sacked Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill. The bitter debate on removal of corroboration reached a point where Crown Office insiders – angry over adverse media coverage – lashed out at members of the judiciary after a number of High Court judges signed a petition against the planned removal of corroboration.

Prosecutors at Scotland’s Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) appeared before MSPs at the Scottish Parliament to back the removal of corroboration in an effort to assist the Crown Office in obtaining higher rates of convictions.

The proposal to remove the right of corroboration was effectively shelved after Scotland’s top judge warned the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee against meddling with legal safeguards which cut across almost any criminal offence in law – ensuring the right to a fair trial.