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CASES under the jurisdiction of Dumbarton Sheriff Court have been transferred to Paisley Sheriff Court in a bid to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

All court business will be adjourned or continued to a later date, except for cases where the accused is in custody, appearances on undertakings, and any emergency civil applications.

Only ten sheriff courts will be open across Scotland. Business relating to Dumbarton Sheriff Court will be dealt with at Paisley, along with Greenock Sheriff Court business.

In line with Scottish Government advice, courts still open are not accessible to the general public.

Social distancing and enhanced cleaning regimes are in place, with regular sterilisation of touch points and other areas of increased exposure.

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The court service had already announced that from March 17, no new criminal jury trials were to commence or new juries empanelled until further notice.

Where jury trials have already commenced, these will run to conclusion of the trial, if practical to do so.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals service said in a statement on their website: “The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service provide an essential public service.

“During this period, it is critical that we maintain public trust and confidence by maintaining the essential services that support justice.

“Courts have already ceased all jury trials, adjourned all but essential summary criminal trials, adjourned all civil hearings involving witnesses, and tribunals will only proceed with essential hearings by audio conference.

“We have also backed this up with strong advice to the public not to attend our buildings.”