THE most far-reaching reform of Scotland's civil justice system in nearly two centuries has been proposed as part of a landmark review of the country's court system. Scotland's second most senior judge yesterday outlined plans to make what he called "failing" courts better, quicker and cheaper to run.

Brian Gill, the Lord Justice Clerk, laid out detailed and radical proposals that he believes will make it easier for Scots to obtain justice in anything from a simple housing dispute to a major corporate lawsuit. The report has been welcomed by the Scottish Government, which is now likely to implement the changes over the next five years.