Criminal Justice Committee 11 June 2025
Amendments 34 and 42 seek to prescribe whether a location would be deemed a suitable location for remote attendance by specifying that the location must have a court official in attendance and an adequate speed of connection. I have previously mentioned my experience in relation to the connection issue, which is one that was raised by all the witnesses.
An issue that I am sure that the Government will address is that of ensuring that there is equality in people’s ability to attend virtually. For example, Age Scotland told us that older people might struggle with getting online. There are issues affecting certain groups of people that must be considered.
It might well be that the cabinet secretary is content that the bill sets out clear criteria for how evidence should be given and where it should be given, as previously mentioned. On the taking of evidence by commissioner, that measure has been a great success. I have seen the facilities for myself, and I thought that that would be the standard.
When I was discussing the issue with the legislation team, I wanted to prescribe some things that would make sense. Maybe they are the wrong things, but I would not be content just to say that people could give evidence in any circumstances and anywhere. It is a court of law, and giving evidence virtually must have some requirements. I would have thought that everyone would be content with the fact that the location should have an equivalency to a courtroom. That is all that I am trying to achieve with these amendments.
I move amendment 34.