Saturday, June 20th, 2020
ASPIC Guidance Update
On 19thJune 2020 the Sheriff Principal published guidance on the resumption of business in the All Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court. Details can be found in the attached document below.
In particular, the following should be noted:
- No civil jury trials are able to run;
- There is no imminent plan for proofs with witnesses in physical attendance;
- The court proposes to hear proofs from 3 August 2020 by WebEx “where appropriate” (whatever that may mean but further guidance is promised);
- Parties with proofs already due to take place during August 2020 are being asked to review their preparation for proof including: (a) the likely availability of witnesses; and
(b) the suitability of the case for video conferencing; and - Cases which had been due to call for proof between 17th March and 31st July 2020 were sisted or converted to notional proof diets and the court has invited parties to review the case with a view to addressing preparedness for proof, availability of witnesses and suitability for video conferencing. Parties are required to contact the court within 14 days (i.e. by 3rd July 2020) giving their conclusions on these matters and whether a new diet of proof is required as a matter of urgency – cause must be shown why the proof should be re-fixed urgently, otherwise these cases will have a proof allocated in January or February 2021”