A study by the University of Glasgow's School of Law and Ipsos Scotland has found that there is a diverse range of views on the perceived impacts of remote hearings on stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that there was no consistent opinion on the effect or continued use of remote hearings.

The study, which was commissioned by the Scottish Government's Justice Analytical Service and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, sought to evaluate the changes made to civil justice processes and procedures in response to the pandemic. It also sought to provide a broader evidence base to inform future decisions regarding the use of specific pandemic measures, such as online hearings.

The study found that remote hearings were seen as having potential benefits for certain groups of vulnerable court users, as well as advantages in terms of time, cost and comfort for involved parties and professionals. However, the study also found that there were a number of challenges associated with remote hearings, including technical problems, digital literacy barriers and challenges around communication.

See more in the University news

First published: 11 August 2023

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