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Ais-eòlas
Published by The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill
Author: Frazer McCallum and Sarah Harvie-Clark
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Published: Wednesday 14 Jun 2023 (SB 23-24)
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Overview
Report
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Overview
Report
Summary
Introduction
The Bill
Research, reviews and consultations
Part 1: Victims and Witnesses Commissioner for Scotland
Background
Provisions in the Bill
Part 2: Trauma-informed practice
Background
Provisions in the Bill
Justice agencies
Court rules
Scheduling of court business
Part 3: Special measures in civil cases
Current provisions
Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004
Children (Scotland) Act 2020
Proposed approach to special measures
Main policy ideas in Part 3 of the Bill
What the new system for civil cases would look like
Presumption against personal conduct of cases
Scottish Government consultation
Part 4: Criminal juries and verdicts
Background
Juries
Current provisions
Consultation
Provisions in the Bill
Verdicts
Current provisions
Consultation
Provisions in the Bill
Part 5: Sexual Offences Court
Background
Provisions in the Bill
Jurisdiction
Judges
Sentencing powers
Lawyers' rights of audience
Procedural matters
Part 6: Sexual offences cases - further reform
Background
Anonymity for victims
Review and consultation
Provisions in the Bill
Independent legal representation for complainers
Sexual history and character evidence
Review and consultation
Provisions in the Bill
Rape trial pilot
Review and consultation
Provisions in the Bill
Summary
Introduction
Part 1: Victims and Witnesses Commissioner for Scotland
Part 2: Trauma-informed practice
Part 3: Special measures in civil cases
Part 4: Criminal juries and verdicts
Part 5: Sexual Offences Court
Part 6: Sexual offences cases - further reform
Sources
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Scottish Parliament. (2023, April 25). Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill [as introduced] Session 6 (2023) SP Bill 26. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/s6-bills/victims-witnesses-and-justice-reform-scotland-bill/introduced/bill-as-introduced.pdf
Scottish Parliament. (2023, April 25). Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: Explanatory Notes Session 6 (2023) SP Bill 26-EN. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/s6-bills/victims-witnesses-and-justice-reform-scotland-bill/introduced/explanatory-notes-accessible.pdf
Scottish Parliament. (2023, April 25). Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: Policy Memorandum Session 6 (2023) SP Bill 26-PM. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/s6-bills/victims-witnesses-and-justice-reform-scotland-bill/introduced/policy-memorandum-accessible.pdf
Scottish Parliament. (2023, April 25). Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: Financial Memorandum Session 6 (2023) SP Bill 26-FM. Retrieved from
https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/s6-bills/victims-witnesses-and-justice-reform-scotland-bill/introduced/financial-memorandum-accessible.pdf
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https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-09-05-2023?meeting=15293&iob=130417
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https://archive2021.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/17994.aspx
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Scottish Government. (2022, December 12). Improving Victims' Experiences of the Justice System: Consultation Analysis. Retrieved from
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Scottish Parliament. (2013, June 20). Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill [as introduced] Session 4 (2013) SP Bill 35. Retrieved from
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Scottish Parliament. (2013, November 27). Criminal Verdicts (Scotland) Bill [as introduced] Session 4 (2013) SP Bill 42. Retrieved from
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Scottish Government. (2017, September 24). Jury research . Retrieved from
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Scottish Government. (2019, October 9). Scottish Jury Research: findings from a large-scale mock jury study - Research Findings. Retrieved from
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Scottish Parliament. (2021, December 15). Proposed Victims, Criminal Justice and Fatal Accident Inquiries (Scotland) Bill. Retrieved from
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Scottish Government. (2022, July 12). The Not Proven Verdict and Related Reforms: Analysis of Responses to Consultation. Retrieved from
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Equality and Human Rights Commission. (2020, August 18). The use of sexual history and bad character evidence in Scottish sexual offences trials. Retrieved from
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Last Updated: 23/11 6:47pm
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