Legal first for Gaelic
18 Oct 05
Lawyer's first use of the language in official court proceedings marks Mod week
A lawyer on the Western Isles became the first to use Gaelic in official court proceedings yesterday.
Angus MacDonald told the court that speaking Gaelic, his first language, would be appropriate as the Western Isles is hosting the Royal National Mod which takes place this week.
He went on to tell the court in English that he hoped the day would eventually come when entire cases could be conducted in Gaelic.
Although this is not the first time the language has been used in courts - as witnesses have spoken Gaelic in the past - it is thought to be the first time that it has been used by a lawyer. The Scottish Executive has made provision for Gaelic to be used in courts for areas where the language is used extensively, following the ratification of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages, and it can be used in the sheriff courts of Stornoway, Portree and Lochmaddy.
Comunn na Gaidhlig chief executive David Martin said he welcomed Mr MacDonald's action and hoped this would encourage more use of Gaelic in court.