Covid-19: Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Regulations 2020
30 June 2020
This update sets out amendments to existing legal aid regulations that will come into force for the duration of the emergency Covid-19 period.
All solicitor updates
Covid-19: Guidance note – where accounts include charges for preparation of Written Representations which replace the need for any oral hearing
30 June 2020
This note sets out our approach to assessing an account or fee to be prepared as a direct alternative to an oral hearing during the Covid-19 emergency.
All solicitor updates
Covid-19: Form of application to restart action in Sheriff Court
30 June 2020
This update explains how civil accounts under a Form of application to restart action to the Sheriff Court should be charged.
All solicitor updates
Covid-19: How payment to self-employed people during emergency affects eligibility for legal aid
29 June 2020
This update describes how self-employed business people affected by Covid-19 will be treated for the purposes of assessing eligibility for legal aid.
Criminal
Update on making three-way calls on the Agent to Prison VC link
23 June 2020
SPS can now accommodate three-way video link consultations with a maximum of three participants on each virtual visit.
General
Issue with telephone system
19 June 2020
We have been notified of a major outage to the Vodafone network which affected our phone system.
Children's
Children’s Hearings 12-month duty plans published
17 June 2020
Children’s Hearings Duty Plans for the next 12 months are now available. These plans cover the period 22 June 2020 to 25 June 2021.
General
Solicitor account payments may be delayed due to system issues
11 June 2020
A technical problem has meant that some solicitor payments may not be received into bank accounts until Monday 15 June.
Civil
Selecting the correct Category Code in cases seeking orders under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000
8 June 2020
Improved guidance to help minimise delays when selecting category codes (AISA or AISAW) in Adults with Incapacity cases
Criminal
Covid-19: Court duty plans re-started for five additional custody courts re-opening
1 June 2020
We have updated the court duty plans for five additional custody courts the SCTS announced last week they were re-opening this Wednesday 3 June 2020.
