We stand at a time of momentous change in the Scottish court system. A number of court buildings have recently been closed and we are on the cusp of a major regional and administrative re-organization. In order to understand that change; who or what is driving it; why it is happening, and what are the effects of the change, we need to view it at several levels. The symposium explored the issues and possibilities for design, commissioning and tendering for new courts in order that a similarly ‘ambitious’ programme and engagement of the various bodies and publics involved and affected can initiate a culture of excellence in the planning and design of new courthouses in Scotland.
This symposium was organised in conjunction with the publication of the book Spaces of Justice: The Architecture of the Scottish Court to take stock and to plan for the future design of the spaces where justice will be enacted in Scotland.
A number of national and professional agencies involved in both architecture and the built environment and the legal and judicial system participated in the symposium leading to wide ranging analysis of the important issues, including The Law Society, Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, Built Environment Forum Scotland, Faculty of Advocates, Judicial Institution for Scotland, Strathclyde University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Architecture Design Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, Centre for Contemporary Arts, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, Scottish Universities Law Institute, Mackintosh School of Architecture, Reiach and Hall Architects and Glasgow School of Art.