 This procedure is followed in both civil and criminal causes.The subsequent statement is generally inadmissible as evidence in the trial, but it allows the procurator fiscal, advocate or solicitor in Scotland to appear before the Courts of Scotland knowing what evidence each witness is likely to present.Following the judgement of the Appeal Court in "Beurskens v HM Advocate [2014] HCJAC 99" it is possible for a precognition to be considered as a statement, and thus be admissible as evidence in court.