Access to justice

Terms of reference for HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland's inspection of COPFS practice in relation to sections 274 and 275 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995

A report providing an overview of implementation of the actions set out in the Tackling Prejudice and Building Connected Communities Action Plan.

This pack provides information on the impact of COVID-19 on the Justice system during November 2021. Data has been gathered from a number of different sources and may be subject to future revision.

Joint Scottish Government and COSLA consultation on the proposals for new prevention of homelessness duties. This consultation creates an opportunity for individuals and organisations to have their say on changes to the homelessness system in Scotland.

This consultation seeks views on the three verdict system in Scottish criminal trials and if the not proven verdict were to be abolished, whether any accompanying reforms would be necessary to other aspects of the criminal justice system.

Views sought on three verdict system and related reforms.

Consultation on proposals for an increase of 2% in court fees in each financial year between 2022 and 2025, proposals for minor changes to court fee exemptions, and proposals for changes to some court fee narratives.

The Equality and Fairer Scotland Budget Statement (EFSBS) 2022-23 assesses where the Scottish Government is proposing to spend public money and how it aims to reduce inequality. The EFSBS is a supporting document to the Scottish Budget and should be read alongside associated Budget publications.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the process and requirements for next of kin applications.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. The assessment framework will be used by Redress Scotland to assist in making determinations on redress payment levels for individually assessed applications.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the evidential requirements for the scheme.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred in connection with an application for redress.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on nominated beneficiaries.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the wider redress reporting requirements for those organisations which contribute to the scheme.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the factors to be taken in to consideration when making payments to children.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the waiver, the contributions element of the scheme and other routes to redress which applicants may want to consider.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the payment of legal fees.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the reviews process.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on making oral representations to Redress Scotland.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the eligibility criteria of the scheme.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the process, procedure and factors to be taken into consideration where an applicant has a relevant criminal conviction for a serious offence.

Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on when an applicant can pause, withdraw or make more than one redress application.

Sentence referred

Criminals pay towards helping victims.

Sets out the principles the Scottish Ministers will use to assess whether an organisation is making a fair and meaningful financial contribution to Scotland's Redress Scheme.

Two year review recommends independent body investigates prison deaths.

Victim safety at the heart of proposed changes to the use of custody.

Consultation on the use of remand and arrangements around release from custody - two areas which we consider have the potential to contribute to a shift in how prison and imprisonment is used in a modern Scotland.

Key legislation aims to pardon workers of certain offences and restore dignity.

The annual report of HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland for the year 2020 to 2021.

Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment (FSD) for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 and relevant secondary legislation.

Children's Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 and relevant secondary legislation.

Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 and relevant secondary legislation.

Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 and relevant secondary legislation.

Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 and relevant secondary legislation.

Business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 and relevant secondary legislation.

Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) for the Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse in Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 and relevant secondary legislation.

Scheme will diversify and broaden support for victims.

A consultation based on recommendations from an independent review of the regulation of legal services will run until 24 December. It will seek views on options for change designed to lead to improvements to the way legal services are regulated, and the legal complaints system operates in Scotland.

A report on those payments made into and out of the Victim Surcharge Fund, the recipient organisations, the administration costs and balance of the Fund for the period 25 November 2019 to 31 March 2021.

Monthly data report on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the justice system in Scotland, including information from Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and Scottish Prison Service.

Official Statistics on crimes and offences recorded by the police in Scotland for August 2021.

A consultation on draft regulations transferring the functions of the Council Tax Reduction Review Panel, the Valuation Appeals Committees and some functions of the Lands Tribunal for Scotland to the Scottish Tribunals.

Improving services for victims and witnesses.

HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland's report on how criminal allegations against the police are dealt with by Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

This publication announces that the Scottish Ministers have decided to bring forward legislation amalgamating the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland. The resultant body will be an expanded Land Court.

This guidance describes the responsibilities and expectations for all involved in protecting children and will support the care and protection of children.

Vital backing to help with COVID recovery.

Consultation sought views on whether the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland should be merged. It also asked further questions about related administrative issues relating to the bodies.

This Code of Practice sets out the national standards of practice that apply to all Child Interview Rights Practitioners (ChIRPs), as implemented by the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 (Register of Child Interview Rights Practitioners) Regulations 2021.

Eighth release of a monthly data report on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the justice system in Scotland, including information from Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and Scottish Prison Service.

A high-level guide to the purpose, policy rationale and operation of structured deferred sentences in Scotland, for local authority justice social work services, youth justice services and relevant partners.

Seventh release of a monthly data report on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the justice system in Scotland, including information from Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and Scottish Prison Service.

This consultation sets out proposals and seeks views on potential improvements to the legal complaints system, within the current legislative framework of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007.

Funding of up to £20 million available for solicitors.

Sixth release of a monthly data report on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the justice system in Scotland, including information from Police Scotland, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, and Scottish Prison Service.

HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland annual report for 2019 to 2020.

More than 100,000 young people supported by scheme.

Views sought on extending the age range of young people referred.

New monthly statistics published.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Discussion paper published ahead of talks and update to Parliament.

Emergency powers for release a ‘last resort’.

New legislation will protect people, public services and the economy.

Emergency Scottish legislation in response to coronavirus.

Justice Secretary announces £100,000 ‘victims fund’ to help those in need.

New funding for legal support.

Pioneering hospital-based Navigator programme operating in Dundee.

Our response to the independent review of mediation in Scotland.

The scheme has been revised in accordance with the provisions of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990. The Minister for Community Safety has directed that the Association of Commercial Attorneys bring this into force from 18 June 2019.

Laura Dunlop QC appointed.

Findings of UK’s largest ever mock jury study published.

The study is the first mock jury research to consider the unique nature of the Scottish jury system with 15 jurors, three verdicts and a simple majority.

The study is the first mock jury research to consider the unique nature of the Scottish jury system with 15 jurors, three verdicts and a simple majority.

A consultation to seek the views of key stakeholders and members of the public on the current Letter of Rights for Scotland.

Sets out our work to improve the family justice system in Scotland.

This report examines the effectiveness of Integrated Domestic Abuse Courts (IDACs) that use a ‘One Family, One Judge’ model.

Giving more victims a voice in court to explain how crime has affected them.

The Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland's review of the investigation and prosecution of sheriff solemn cases.

This document is the basis of a 12 week public consultation on legal aid reform in Scotland.

Scottish Government response to independent review by Esther A Roberton.

Available literature and evidence on mediation in civil justice (civil/commercial) in five international jurisdictions: Australia, Canada, England and Wales, Ireland, and the USA.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Reforming the law on setting the personal injury discount rate.

We are consulting on draft code of practice on powers by proper persons to exercise a series of investigatory orders and warrants under Chapter 3 of Part 8 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Update on work by our statisticians and Police Scotland to review the availability of information on hate crime.

Consultation on improving openness and transparency of parole.

Scottish Government response to "Rethinking Legal Aid, an Independent Strategic Review".

Delivering better support for victims of crime.

More clarity for creditors and debtors in terms of legal claims.

Consultation on Scottish Ministers' powers to cap success fees, to regulate which cases are not suitable to be funded by damages based agreements, and to make further regulatory provision about success fee agreements.

Overview of progress to the actions set out in 2017-2018 Justice Vision and Priorities Delivery Plan and new approaches and additional actions for the coming year 2018-2019.

This toolkit provides resources to enable survivor support organisations become more sustainable.

Legislative option to form part of forthcoming public consultation.

Justice Secretary to lead group driving progress for victims of crime.

Support for victims of sexual violence.

'Focus on reducing re-offending is helping keep crime down and communities safe'.

Funding for whole system approach.

£1.1 million extra to reduce delays in sexual offences cases and improve communication with victims.

Support for victims of crime and vulnerable adults.

Statistics on hate crime published.

Improving support for child and vulnerable witnesses in justice system.

Impact on mining communities to be focus.

Wendy Sinclair-Gieben first woman appointed to post.

Identifying improvements in the criminal justice process. 

Independent HM Inspector reports on improvements.

Prioritising children’s interests in family court cases when parents separate.

This review draws on international evidence from field studies which are undertaken with real jurors and simulated or ‘mock’ jury studies.

Research findings from the evidence review of methods of conveying information to jurors.

Funding for new homicide service.

An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.

Seven new members to strengthen the Board.

Matheson announces £1.7m to extend advocacy service after successful pilot.

More vulnerable groups to be exempt from court fees.

More clarity for creditors pursuing and debtors defending claims.

New framework of police powers and duties.

Women need confidence in reporting procedures.