Access to justice
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Adult victims of human trafficking and exploitation: guidance on support - consultation
This consultation seeks views on guidance that outlines support available to adult victims of human trafficking and exploitation in Scotland.
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SG/2026/56: Reform of the Victim Notification Scheme: report for Parliament - March 2026
A report outlining the Scottish Government's progress on reforming the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) in response to commitments made in response to the Independent Review of the VNS in October 2024.
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Working together towards a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill: March 2026 Current proposals for potential Bill provisions
This report outlines the current thinking for the proposed Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill which would aim to better respect, protect and champion the rights of neurodivergent people and people with learning disabilities.
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Working together towards a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill: partial equality impact assessment
This partial equalities impact assessment (EQIA) provides a summary of the key findings from work undertaken to consider the potential equality impacts of the proposed Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill.
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Restorative justice: policy and practice framework
Guidance on the practice of restorative justice (RJ) in Scotland in relation to adults and children. It sets out minimum standards and expectations against which RJ practice can be benchmarked, monitored and evaluated to ensure consistent delivery in line with RJ principles.
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Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Act 2024 implementation: statutory report
This statutory report to the Scottish Parliament on the implementation of the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences (Scotland) Act 2024 outlines the steps taken by the Scottish Government to fulfil its statutory duties under Section 6 of the Act.
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Scottish Biometrics Commissioner - review of functions: consultation
Consultation on whether the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner's functions remain appropriate, and whether the list of bodies under the Commissioner's oversight should be amended.
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Scottish Court Fees 2026-2027 - Equality Impact Assessment
Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) relating to 6 Scottish Statutory Instruments (SSIs) providing for fees in the Scottish civil courts and the Office of the Public Guardian in the years 2026 to 2027.
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Scottish Court Fees 2026-2027 - Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment
Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA) relating to 6 Scottish Statutory Instruments (SSIs) providing for fees in the Scottish civil courts in the years 2026 to 2027.
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Scottish Court Fees 2026-2027 - Business Regulatory Impact Assessment
Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) relating to 6 Scottish Statutory Instruments (SSIs) providing for fees in the Scottish civil courts in the years 2026 to 2027.
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Public Inquiry into group-based child sexual abuse
Professor Alexis Jay to chair statutory Inquiry.
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Supporting Children's Learning - Code of Practice: easy read summary
Easy read summary of the Supporting Children's Learning Code of Practice. It does not replace the full guidance or the law. We are consulting on the refreshed guidance, which is designed to improve clarity, readability, and navigation for all users.
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Supporting Children's Learning - Code of Practice: statutory guidance - fourth edition
The Code of Practice on Supporting Children's Learning provides statutory guidance on the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. We are consulting on the refreshed guidance, designed to improve clarity, readability, and navigation for all users.
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Supporting Children's Learning - Code of Practice: summary
Brief summary of the Supporting Children's Learning Code of Practice. It does not replace the full guidance or the law. We are consulting on the refreshed guidance, designed to improve clarity, readability, and navigation for all users.
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Supporting Children's Learning - Code of Practice: statutory guidance - consultation
The Supporting Children's Learning Code of Practice provides statutory guidance on the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004. We are consulting on the refreshed guidance, designed to improve clarity, readability, and navigation for all users.
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Scottish Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission report: Justice That Works
The final report and recommendations of the independent Commission on Sentencing and Penal Policy 'Justice that Works'.
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Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission - call for evidence: analysis of responses
Independent analysis of responses to the call for evidence by the Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission.
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Change to short-term prisoner release point
Regulations to be submitted for Parliament’s approval.
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Fatal Accident Inquiry Review
Scottish Government pledges to improve system following deaths in custody.
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Public Inquiry Chair Announced
Lord Colbeck to lead inquiry into circumstances of Sheku Bayoh death.
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Cohabitants' rights - changes when their partner dies and leaves no will: consultation - easy read version
Easy read version of family law consultation about cohabitants' rights when one dies and does not leave a will.
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Police Appeals Tribunal transfer to Scottish Tribunals structure regulations: final business and regulatory impact assessment
The final business and regulatory impact assessment ("BRIA") for the set of regulations to transfer the Police Appeals Tribunal into the Scottish Tribunal structure.
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Police Appeals Tribunal transfer to Scottish Tribunals structure regulations: island communities impact assessment
This publication covers the island communities impact assessment ("ICIA") for the regulations to transfer the Police Appeals Tribunal into the Scottish Tribunals structure.
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British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 - recommendations: SG response
Sets out a range of government actions in response to recommendations made by the Equalities, Human Rights, and Civil Justice report into the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, the BSL National Plan 2023-2029, and BSL Local Plans by listed authorities.
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National review of group-based child sexual abuse response
Professor Alexis Jay to chair National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Strategic Group.
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Scottish Government high level action plan in response to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
Scottish Government’s High Level Action Plan which sets out the activity we are taking to respond to the Concluding Observations made by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (UN Committee) during the seventh State party review in February 2025, in relation to devolved matters
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First Children's Rights Scheme: child friendly version
Child friendly version of the first children's rights scheme as required under section 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.
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First Children's Rights Scheme
First children's rights scheme as required under section 15 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.
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Parliament approves emergency prisoner release scheme
Release programme includes exclusions and governor vetoes.
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Children's Rights Scheme: draft
Draft version of the Children's Rights Scheme under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 (the UNCRC Act). This draft has not yet been laid before the Scottish Parliament.
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Bill passed to help prevent domestic homicides and suicides
New review process will ensure lessons are learned from each case.
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Transforming the justice system for victims and witnesses
Landmark Bill passed by Parliament.
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Voices in Justice: parole reform consultation
We are consulting on a broad range of areas centred on parole improvements and parole reform. The consultation invites all people with an interest in parole and wider justice matters to consider the consultation areas and play a direct role in influencing parole policy in Scotland.
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Independent legal representation and the victims, witnesses, and justice reform (Scotland) bill: A review of potential models of delivery
Evidence based research on different potential models of delivery for independent legal representation in the Scottish context, with reference to international comparable adversarial legal jurisdictions, and the victims, witnesses, and justice reform (Scotland) bill.
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Further support for victims of crime
Victim Surcharge Fund opens for new applications.
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Legal aid reform: discussion paper - easy read
Sets out three key strands of work we will undertake in 2025 to 2026 to improve legal aid: simplification of the judicare service delivery model; research on and reform of legal aid fees; engagement with stakeholders to develop a reformed future legal assistance system.
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Gender policy coherence: annual statement - easy read
An Easy Read version of the Annual Statement on Gender Policy Coherence.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: statutory guidance – next of kin – updated April 2025
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the process and requirements for next of kin applications.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: statutory guidance – nominated beneficiaries – updated April 2025
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on nominated beneficiaries.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021: statutory guidance – eligibility – updated April 2025
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the eligibility criteria of the scheme.
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Sentencing and Penal Policy Commission: call for evidence
Gathering evidence to inform the work of the independent Commission on Sentencing and Penal Policy. The Commission will make recommendations for improvements to penal policy and practice.
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Police Appeals Tribunal - transfer to First-tier Tribunal for Scotland: consultation analysis and response
Analysis and response to the consultation regarding draft regulations on transferring the Police Appeals Tribunal to the Scottish Tribunals structure.
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Improving access to justice
Discussion paper on further reforms to legal aid system.
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Adults with Incapacity Amendment Act: consultation analysis - easy read
Easy read summary of the analysis of responses to the consultation on proposed amendments to the Adults with Incapacity Act 2000.
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Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Act 2022: pardon eligibility self-assessment guide - updated January 2025
Sets out the qualifying criteria and provides a step by step guide to eligibility.
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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: December 2024 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report : November 2024 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 - payment of legal fees and related decisions: statutory guidance - updated November 2024
Statutory guidance for Scotland's Redress Scheme. This guidance provides further information on the payment of legal fees.
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Human rights of children in Scotland: report - child friendly version
Child friendly/easy read version of our action plan 2021 to 2024 progress report.
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Progressing the human rights of children in Scotland: update report 2021-2024
This report provides an update on the delivery of commitments outlined in our action plan ‘Progressing the human rights of children in Scotland: action plan 2021 to 2024’.
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Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill update
Amendments to landmark legislation.
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Justice and safer communities statistics: monthly data report summary - October 2024
Summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Scotland’s Redress Scheme
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: September 2024
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022 - proposed extension of temporary justice provisions: statement of reasons
This Statement of Reasons sets out why the Scottish Ministers are seeking to extend some of the temporary justice measures in the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Act 2022 for one further year, until 30 November 2025. This is the last time the temporary measures can be extended.
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Children and Young People Affected by a Family Member in Prison or Secure Care: Final Report of Short-Life Group
Explores the impact on children and young people when a family member is in prison or secure care, and makes recommendations for improvement.
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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report : August 2024 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities areas. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 - waiver, contributions and other routes to redress: statutory guidance – updated August 2024
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.
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Redress for Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 statutory guidance - Applications with convictions for serious offences - Updated August 2024
This guidance applies to all those with an interest in connection with the making, or consideration of an application for redress. This includes applicants to the redress scheme, their legal representatives and Redress Scotland, who must have regard to the guidance.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 - annual reports: statutory guidance – updated August 2024
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.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 - pausing, withdrawing and making more than one application: statutory guidance – updated August 2024
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.
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Redress For Survivors (Historical Child Abuse In Care) (Scotland) Act 2021 - assessment framework: statutory guidance - updated August 2024
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.
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Building a New Scotland: Justice in an independent Scotland
This paper sets out the Scottish Government's vision for justice in an independent Scotland.
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XL Bully dog exemption application process opens
Owners urged to apply before 31 July deadline.
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Age-appropriate care and justice
Bill passes Stage One.
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Crime remains at historically low-levels
Delivering a safer Scotland for everyone.
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Transforming children’s experiences of the justice system
New test sites for ‘Bairns’ Hoose’ to be set up.
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Putting victims and witnesses at heart of justice system
Legislative reforms introduced to Parliament.
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Virtual reality helping victims
World-first allows people to better understand courtroom process.
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Digital evidence pilot
Collaborative system will benefit victims and witnesses.
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Reform of legal services regulation
Modernisation plans centred on the public interest.
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Support for improved rights for victims
Improving experiences of the justice system.
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Deaths abroad
Support for families and loved ones.
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Victim Surcharge Fund
More help for victims as criminals pay towards costs.
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New custodial unit for women
Visionary centre will transform support for women in custody.
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Legal Aid offer
Enhanced fees for lawyers to support profession.
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National Strategy for Community Justice launched
Reducing reoffending will lead to fewer victims.
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Miners’ Strike Pardon Bill passes
Key legislation will pardon former miners of certain offences.
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Restorative justice launch
New national hubs pave way.
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Police complaints and misconduct
Consultation launched on new legislation.
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Victims’ consultation launches
Putting people at the heart of the justice system.
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£3.2m to strengthen remand alternatives
Bail supervision and assessment support.
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Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission
Sentence referred.
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Working Group on Misogyny and Criminal Justice in Scotland
Justice Secretary welcomes report and will now “consider recommendations”.
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New Bairns’ Hoose appointment
Post will drive improvements for children.
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New vision for justice
Victims placed at the heart of ensuring just, safe, and resilient communities.
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Criminal justice social work statistics: 2020-21
A National Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Not proven consultation opens
Views sought on three verdict system and related reforms.
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Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission
Sentence referred
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Victim Surcharge Fund reopens for applications
Criminals pay towards helping victims.
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Death in custody review
Two year review recommends independent body investigates prison deaths.
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Use of bail and remand consultation launches
Victim safety at the heart of proposed changes to the use of custody.
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Historic miners’ pardon Bill published
Key legislation aims to pardon workers of certain offences and restore dignity.
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New victim support fund announced
Scheme will diversify and broaden support for victims.
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Supporting children in the justice system
Improving services for victims and witnesses.
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£6.7 million support for legal aid firms
Vital backing to help with COVID recovery.
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Supporting the legal profession
Funding of up to £20 million available for solicitors.
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CashBack for Communities
More than 100,000 young people supported by scheme.
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Children’s hearings
Views sought on extending the age range of young people referred.
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Impact of COVID-19 on crime
New monthly statistics published.
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Recorded Crime in Scotland: April 2020
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Criminal trials during COVID-19 outbreak
Discussion paper published ahead of talks and update to Parliament.
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Ensuring continuity of justice during COVID-19
Emergency powers for release a ‘last resort’.
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MSPs support Emergency Coronavirus Bill
New legislation will protect people, public services and the economy.
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Tenants to be given extra protection
Emergency Scottish legislation in response to coronavirus.
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Extra support for crime victims during pandemic
Justice Secretary announces £100,000 ‘victims fund’ to help those in need.
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EU citizens vital to Scotland
New funding for legal support.
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Violence reduction service expanded
Pioneering hospital-based Navigator programme operating in Dundee.
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New President of Mental Health Tribunal
Laura Dunlop QC appointed.
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Scottish Jury Research
Findings of UK’s largest ever mock jury study published.
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Victim statement expansion
Giving more victims a voice in court to explain how crime has affected them.
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Statistics News - Insights into equality outcomes
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Civil Justice Statistics in Scotland 2017-18
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Damages Bill passed
Reforming the law on setting the personal injury discount rate.
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Strengthening victims’ voices in parole hearings
Consultation on improving openness and transparency of parole.
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Victims taskforce
Delivering better support for victims of crime.
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Prescription Bill passed
More clarity for creditors and debtors in terms of legal claims.
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Tackling misogyny
Legislative option to form part of forthcoming public consultation.
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Victims Task Force
Justice Secretary to lead group driving progress for victims of crime.
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Funding boost for Rape Crisis Centres
Support for victims of sexual violence.
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Reconvictions at 19-year low
'Focus on reducing re-offending is helping keep crime down and communities safe'.
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More support for young people at risk of crime
Funding for whole system approach.
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Improving victims' experiences of the justice system
£1.1 million extra to reduce delays in sexual offences cases and improve communication with victims.
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Making the justice system more accessible
Support for victims of crime and vulnerable adults.
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Hate crime reporting must continue
Statistics on hate crime published.
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More pre-recording of evidence for criminal trials
Improving support for child and vulnerable witnesses in justice system.
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Independent review of policing during Miners' Strike
Impact on mining communities to be focus.
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New Chief Inspector of Prisons
Wendy Sinclair-Gieben first woman appointed to post.
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Understanding victims' experiences
Identifying improvements in the criminal justice process.
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Police call handling
Independent HM Inspector reports on improvements.
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Review of family law
Prioritising children’s interests in family court cases when parents separate.
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Support for bereaved families
Funding for new homicide service.
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Insights into key equality outcomes across Scotland
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Scottish Police Authority appointees
Seven new members to strengthen the Board.
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Supporting victims of rape
Matheson announces £1.7m to extend advocacy service after successful pilot.
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Support for court users
More vulnerable groups to be exempt from court fees.
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Prescription Bill introduced
More clarity for creditors pursuing and debtors defending claims.
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Modernising powers of arrest
New framework of police powers and duties.
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Action on sexual harassment
Women need confidence in reporting procedures.