The organisation Shared Parenting Scotland which supports family members who are not resident with a child in maintaining contact, have raised a number of concerns with Lord Carloway, the Lord President of the Court of Session, including concerns over participation in family actions. 

In a reply to the organisation’s letter, Lord Carloway has confirmed that parties should be able to participate in remote hearings, including telephone hearings, if they wish.  He wrote that “there is no policy in place in either the Court of Session or in the Sheriff Court which has the effect that any party is excluded from a hearing… it is fundamental to justice being done that parties can participate effectively in court hearings”. 

If you require any assistance with regard to family actions, please do not hesitate to contact David Doig or Claire Lynch of our Court Department on 0141 248 3456 or by completing our online contact form.