Access to justice
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Criminal proceedings in Scotland: 2020-2021
Statistics on criminal proceedings concluded in Scottish courts and alternative measures to prosecution issued by the police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are presented for the ten years from 2011-12 to 2020-21. The latest year’s data is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Miners’ Strike Pardon Bill passes
Key legislation will pardon former miners of certain offences.
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HM Inspectorate of Prosecution: strategic plan 2022 to 2025
Strategic plan for HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland covering the period 2022 to 2025.
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Equally Safe - short life delivery plan: summer 2022 to autumn 2023
A refresh of the Equally Safe Delivery Plan outlining the joint commitment of the Scottish Government and COSLA to preventing and eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls and tackling the underpinning attitudes that perpetuate it.
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Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill: business and regulatory impact assessment
Business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) to look at the likely costs, benefits and risks of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill.
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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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Inspection of the management of criminal allegations against the police by COPFS
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
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Scottish Land Court and Lands Tribunal for Scotland consultation: Scottish Government response
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.
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£6.7 million support for legal aid firms
Vital backing to help with COVID recovery.
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Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland: consultation analysis
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.
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Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019: child interview rights practitioners – code of practice
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.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services data report - January 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.
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Structured deferred sentences: guidance
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.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services Data Report - December 2020
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.
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Complaints against lawyers and legal firms in Scotland: consultation
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.
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Supporting the legal profession
Funding of up to £20 million available for solicitors.
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Coronavirus (COVID-19): Justice Analytical Services Data Report - November 2020
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.
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HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland: annual report 2019 to 2020
HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland annual report for 2019 to 2020.
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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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Independent review of mediation: our response
Our response to the independent review of mediation in Scotland.
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Association of Commercial Attorneys: revised scheme
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.
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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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Scottish jury research: findings from a mock jury study
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.
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Scottish jury research - mock jury study: summary of findings
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.
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Letter of rights: consultation
A consultation to seek the views of key stakeholders and members of the public on the current Letter of Rights for Scotland.
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Family Justice Modernisation Strategy
Sets out our work to improve the family justice system in Scotland.
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Domestic abuse courts: report
This report examines the effectiveness of Integrated Domestic Abuse Courts (IDACs) that use a ‘One Family, One Judge’ model.
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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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Investigation and prosecution of sheriff solemn cases: thematic review
The Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland's review of the investigation and prosecution of sheriff solemn cases.
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Legal aid reform: consultation
This document is the basis of a 12 week public consultation on legal aid reform in Scotland.
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Independent review of legal services regulation in Scotland: our response
Scottish Government response to independent review by Esther A Roberton.
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Mediation in civil justice: international evidence review
Available literature and evidence on mediation in civil justice (civil/commercial) in five international jurisdictions: Australia, Canada, England and Wales, Ireland, and the USA.
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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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Proceeds of Crime Act 2002: consultation
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.
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Hate crime: availability of information recorded by the police in Scotland
Update on work by our statisticians and Police Scotland to review the availability of information on hate crime.
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Strengthening victims’ voices in parole hearings
Consultation on improving openness and transparency of parole.
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Independent review of legal aid in Scotland: our response
Scottish Government response to "Rethinking Legal Aid, an Independent Strategic Review".
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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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Success fee agreements: consultation on Part 1 of the Civil Litigation (Expenses and Group Proceedings) (Scotland) Act 2018
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.
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Justice vision and priorities delivery plan 2018-2019 and overview of progress 2017-2018
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.
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Beyond survival: resource for organisations working with child abuse survivors
This toolkit provides resources to enable survivor support organisations become more sustainable.
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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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Methods of conveying information to jurors: evidence review
This review draws on international evidence from field studies which are undertaken with real jurors and simulated or ‘mock’ jury studies.
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Methods of conveying information to jurors: evidence review - research findings
Research findings from the evidence review of methods of conveying information to jurors.
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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.
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Justice in Scotland: vision and priorities delivery plan, 2017-2018
Delivery plan setting out key actions for 2017-2018 to help progress the seven priorities set out in the Justice vision document.
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