HADDINGTON Sheriff Court closes its doors for the last time today (Friday).

A ceremony was held last Friday evening to mark the final week of court business, with solicitors, social workers, former sheriffs, members of the Crown and Procurator Fiscal Service among those in attendance.

The court has been at the heart of justice in the county since Medieval times but court business will move to Edinburgh from next week.

Among those giving speeches at the event last Friday night was Sheriff Peter Braid, Haddington Sheriff Court’s final resident sheriff, and Sheriff Principal Mhairi M Stephen.

He told the audience that giving the speech was “much more nerve-wracking” than his usual appearance in court.

Sheriff Braid gave an outline of the history of the court before thanking all those, ranging from court staff to social workers, solicitors and Crown personnel, who had been involved over the years.

He praised the efforts of the local law faculty and said: “I sincerely believe that the local bar is second to none; Haddington’s loss is Edinburgh’s gain.” He closed by saying: “It’s been an honour and a privilege the last three and a half years as the last sheriff of Haddington.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily and I hope to sit in Edinburgh for many years to come.” Provost Ludovic Broun-Lindsay was also at the ceremony and described it as “a sad day for Haddington and East Lothian justice”.

He questioned if Edinburgh Sheriff Court would cope and also how people from the east of the county would make it through to Edinburgh for potentially a 9.30am court start.

But local solicitor Angela Craig insists there remains hope that the county could once again be home to a court.

Speaking last Friday night, she said: “There is a glimmer of light.

“We recognise the decision to close the court but we are now looking at what is a potential opportunity for East Lothian to maintain a justice facility.

“There has been one for over the last 500 years and this could be an entirely different way of doing that.

“Parliament has brought in summary sheriff courts. This court could function within the same building and I have spoken to East Lothian Council, who are very supportive.” Summary sheriff courts can do much of what a sheriff court does.However, the sheriff would be on a lower salary and jury trials are held elsewhere.

Mrs Craig, who represented clients in the court for the last 25 years, has also organised a public meeting tonight (Friday) at St Mary’s Parish Church, entitled ‘Haddington Sheriff Court... What Next?’ The Rev Jennifer Macrae is chairing the 7pm meeting, with MSP Iain Gray, MP Fiona O’Donnell and East Lothian Council leader Willie Innes among the expected speakers.