A video link for vulnerable witnesses could ensure a trace of the court service remains in Arbroath.
Chief Executive of the Scottish Courts Service (SCS), Eric McQueen, revealed the body is investigating the possibility of a live camera connection to Forfar Sheriff Court when Arbroath Sheriff Court shuts next year.
However, it is unlikely the link would be from within the axed building and the proposal was dismissed as “smoke and mirrors” by North East MSP Alex Johnstone.
The mooted development was in a progress update supplied to Angus South MSP Graeme Dey ahead of the re-location of all Arbroath services and staff in May 2014.
Mr McQueen said the SCS is committed to retaining a strong court presence within the county.
He added: “Work is already in hand to bring together the Arbroath and Forfar court programmes and ensure that all business requiring a court diet to be allocated after May 2014 can be fixed into the Forfar programme.
“Building plans have also been lodged to develop the accommodation in Forfar and so ensure it will provide high-quality facilities, confirming our long-term commitment to Forfar.’’
Mr Johnstone said a commitment to Forfar is the least the public should expect.
“We now learn that Arbroath Sheriff Court is to be closed, only to be replaced by a video booth,” he said.
“The arguments for this scheme never did stack up, and in my view, sticking a video camera in a cupboard is not, and never will be, a replacement for a local justice system which enjoyed the confidence of local people.”
Mr McQueen confirmed the SCS is in communication with Victim Support Scotland over the move to Forfar and advised improved facilities will be included in the accommodation.
He also revealed all Arbroath-based court staff have opted to re-locate to Forfar.
“Work is now ongoing to ensure that staff moves will take place as smoothly as possible and we have put in place special adjustments to existing transfer policies to help with the transition,” he said.
Mr Dey welcomed an SCS pledge to take a “pragmatic approach” to case scheduling and public transport difficulties at Forfar.
He said: “Mr McQueen has indicated that by November the SCS will be into full planning for the new Angus set-up and he will update us further at that stage.
“Both Mike Weir and I will be continuing to monitor progress to ensure inconvenience and disruption caused by locating all services in Forfar can be limited.’’
Angus MP Mike Weir added: “The agreement to take a flexible approach to the timing of cases is important and the possibility of a video link in Arbroath will address concerns about vulnerable witnesses, as will the improved space available for Victim Support Scotland.”