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  4. Sheriffs say working conditions getting worse: survey

Sheriffs say working conditions getting worse: survey

11th February 2015 | careers , civil litigation , criminal law

Most of Scotland's sheriffs, and 40% of Court of Session judges, believe their working conditions are worse now than five years ago, according to the latest Judicial Attitude Survey for Scotland.

With an 81% response rate from salaried judges, the survey found that 88% of sheriffs who have been in post for at least five years claim that working conditions have deteriorated over that time.

Across both categories of judges, about 42% stated that their workload over the past 12 months had been too high. Also contributing to dissatisfaction are the standard of IT equipment in court (43% rate it as poor), time available for training (62% not satisfied) and opportunities for personal development (64% not satisfied). 

Better ratings are given for the quality of training (89% satisfied), the range of training available (79%), variety of work (77%) and the challenge of the job (73%). Library and books, physical environment and IT support score 50% or just over, and the quality of administrative support scores 59% satisfied.

Virtually all judges (98%) believe they provide an important service to society, but while 50% feel valued by the public, only 8% feel valued by government. Over two thirds (67%) of all Scottish judges say that members of the judiciary are respected by society at large less than they were 10 years ago, with sheriffs more likely to perceive a decline in respect (70%) than senators (48%).

There is no consensus on whether the judiciary manages change well, or whether the amount of change in recent years has brought judges to breaking point.

Click here to view the full report.

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