Petitioner: James Macfarlane
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
15 October 2012
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to consider the need for new legislation to create a free of charge public right of access to information generated in relation to court proceedings, including all documents which have been read in open court, whether aloud or not, and to proactively publish this information online.
This petition seeks to create a public right of access to any document produced before a court (in the course of any proceedings, either criminal or civil).
The 'open justice' principle entitles any member of the public to watch court proceedings; however, it isn't easy for members of the public to follow a case - they will have to attend court on numerous days and may have to take time off from work. If this is the case, then the justice system isn't really 'open' at all.
I propose that all court documents are published online for all to see. If a party wants information to remain confidential - and it wouldn't ordinarily be read out in open court - then the sheriff / judge/ JP can withhold it from disclosure.