This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Improvements for Edinburgh courts
20/09/2005
Edinburgh's High Court building at Lawnmarket is to be upgraded to allow criminal appeals to be heard there.
Moving criminal appeal business to the Lawnmarket will allow the further redevelopment of Parliament House in Edinburgh, the current home of the Court of Appeal.
The cost of the improvements at Lawnmarket and immediate improvements at Parliament House are expected to cost £1.65 million.
This will include improving three courts at Lawnmarket plus some improvements to the air conditioning system. It will also clear the way to allow the next stage of work in Parliament House including facilities for the public and witnesses.
Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service, Eleanor Emberson said:
"In December 2004 we said that the redevelopment of Parliament House was to be reviewed. Since then we have been considering a wide range of options, in consultation with the Judiciary and other stakeholders. This development today will allow us to continue with the next stage of work and improve the Parliament House buildings.
"It is vital that we have the right facilities in place in our courts and this work will allow the modernisation of one of Scotland's most historic buildings. Not only will three courts be improved at the Lawnmarket, it will give us the opportunity to improve facilities to serve the public and witnesses at Parliament House."
Parliament House in Edinburgh is the home of the Supreme Courts (High Court of Justiciary and Court of Session). The High Court also has facilities at Lawnmarket in Edinburgh and Saltmarket in Glasgow, and sits on circuit in courts around Scotland.
Parliament House is a historic building and it has been recognised for several years that it needs substantial refurbishment to bring the accommodation up to modern operating standards. For instance, it needs better facilities for disabled people, modernised witness accommodation and up to date security arrangements and custody facilities. It is envisaged that Criminal Appeal business will return to Parliament House after the refurbishments have taken place.