The Scottish Government has announced that a specialist court dedicated to domestic abuse has opened in Edinburgh to provide further support for victims of domestic abuse and bring offenders to court quickly.
Welcoming the move, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill visited the court and met with Sheriff Principal Mhairi Stephen, Sheriffs in the Domestic Abuse Court, specialist prosecutors and key members of the local domestic abuse working group.
The pilot is planned to run initially for one year and will deal with offences committed in the south and east police Divisions on or after 9th December 2011, with the intention of rolling out to other Divisions at a later date. Diets are being held fortnightly, and the court will have a designated Sheriff, Sheriff Clerk and Procurator Fiscal.