The first UK trials to be conducted with juries sitting in selected Odeon cinemas to maintain social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic will start later this month.
It is the first time cinemas are being used as de facto courtrooms in Scotland, the Society of Editors reports.
The trials will begin on September 28 in Edinburgh at Fort Kinnarid followed by Glasgow from October 12, at Braehead and Renfrewshire.
The Remote Jury Centres are a first in the UK and will see jurors watching proceedings remote from the court building in selected Odeon cinemas in an effort to maintain jury trials amid social distancing measures.
In Edinburgh, the first three High Court trials will be live streamed from courtrooms at Lawmarket, Edinburgh, Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Livingston Sheriff Court.
Eric McQueen, Chief Executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) said that cinemas were chosen to host Jury Centres following an extensive search for suitable venues.
He said: “We are grateful to Odeon Cinemas for working alongside us to make the concept of Remote Jury Centres a reality.
"We need to move swiftly to increase the number of High Court trials taking place and we will do this incrementally as soon as we can.
“The next couple of weeks will involve testing and familiarisation visits from all professional trial participants and supporters.
"It is important for everyone involved in these trials to understand the set-up and functionality of the centres and their relationship with the court room.
"For the jurors who will be taking part in these cases we have to reassure them of the steps we have taken to support them to undertake their civic duty during this time of Covid-19.”
