Civil courts
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Contract Law – Review of Retention: consultation
A consultation paper which seeks views on what any reforms to the law in relation to retention of performance of contractual obligations should look like.
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Strategic lawsuits against public participation: consultation
A consultation which invites consultees to offer views on their experience of strategic lawsuits against public participation and the potential for reform of the law in Scotland.
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Legal aid reform: discussion paper
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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Secure Care Statistics: 2023-24
An Accredited Official Statistics Publication.
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Lord Justice Clerk appointed
Lord Beckett to succeed Lady Dorrian.
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Lord President appointed
Lord Pentland to serve as head of Scotland’s judiciary.
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Leases (Automatic continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
A child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) to consider the impact of the Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill.
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Leases (Automatic continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill: island community impact assessment
An island community impact assessment (ICIA) to consider the impact of the Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill.
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Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill - Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment
A Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment (FSD) to consider the impact of the Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill.
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Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill - Business Regulatory Impact Assessment
A Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) to consider the impact of the Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill.
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Leases (Automatic continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment
An equality impact assessment (EQIA) to consider the impact of the Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill.
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Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill passed
Legislation includes measures to simplify the law in missing persons cases.
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Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014 - draft regulations: consultation
A consultation on draft regulations to transfer the functions and members of the existing Police Appeals Tribunal into the Scottish Tribunals structure.
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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 (Scotland) Act 2020 - section 23(1) and section 24(1): sixth report on Scottish Ministers' duties
Sixth report on the Scottish Ministers' duties under section 23(1) (funding for alternative dispute resolution) and section 24(1)(pilot scheme for mandatory alternative dispute resolution meetings) of the Children (Scotland) Act 2020.
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Civil justice statistics in Scotland 2022-23
Statistics on civil law cases in the Scottish courts together with other related information, such as statistics from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey.
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Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: April 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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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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Building a New Scotland: Justice in an independent Scotland - Easy Read
Easy read version of the Scottish Government's vision for justice in an independent Scotland.
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Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014 - draft regulations: consultation analysis and response
Analysis and response to consultation regarding draft regulations on transferring certain appeal functions of the Transport Tribunal and allocating new appeal functions relating to bus service improvement partnerships to the Upper Tribunal for Scotland.
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Scottish court fees 2024 to 2025: consultation
Consultation to seek views on proposals to revise court fees in Scotland so that the fees raised in our courts continue to contribute appropriately to the cost of the business undertaken in those courts.
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Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill: business and regulatory impact assessment
This business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) considers the impact of the Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill.
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Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment
Details of the equality impact assessment (EQIA) carried out in relation to the Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill.
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Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill: islands communities impact assessment
An islands communities impact assessment (ICIA) to consider the impact of the Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill.
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Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment
A child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA) to consider the impact of the Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill.
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Children (Scotland) Act 2020 - section 23(1) and section 24(1): fifth report on the Scottish Ministers' duties
Fifth report on the Scottish Ministers' duties under section 23(1) (funding for alternative dispute resolution) and section 24(1) (pilot scheme for mandatory alternative dispute resolution meetings) of the Children (Scotland) Act 2020.
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Women's Justice Leadership Panel: report
This report "The Case for Gendered and Intersectional Approaches to Justice" summarises the work of the Women’s Justice Leadership Panel, their thematic discussions, and their key findings. The remit of the Panel was to demonstrate that the experience of women in the justice system is different to men, and to promote consistent understanding of gendered issues.
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Justice Analytical Services (JAS) Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: June 2023 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities statistics. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Justice Analytical Services (JAS) Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report May 2023 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities statistics. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Justice Analytical Services (JAS) Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: April 2023 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities statistics. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: island communities impact assessment
Records the decision not to carry out an island communities impact assessment for the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. It explains why the Bill will not have a significantly different effect on island communities and describes how this assessment has been made.
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Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: business and regulatory impact assessment
This impact assessment looks at the costs and benefits of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill that affect the public, private and third sector.
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Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: child rights and wellbeing impact assessment (CRWIA)
This impact assessment considers how the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill will affect children’s rights and wellbeing. It records the research, analysis and engagement that has taken place in respect of this and how this has informed the development of the Bill.
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Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment
Results of the equality impact assessment process for the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. This process was undertaken to ensure that the Bill does not discriminate against any of the protected characteristics defined in the Equality Act 2010.
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Civil justice statistics in Scotland 2021-22
Statistics on civil law cases in the Scottish courts together with other related information, such as statistics from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey.
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Children (Scotland) Act 2020 - section 23(1) and section 24(1): fourth report on the Scottish Ministers' duties
Fourth report on the Scottish Ministers' duties under section 23(1) (funding for alternative dispute resolution) and section 24(1) (pilot scheme for mandatory alternative dispute resolution meetings) of the Children (Scotland) Act 2020.
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Legal services reform
Bill to improve transparency and accountability of legal sector
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Virtual reality helping victims
World-first allows people to better understand courtroom process.
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Hearings in Scottish courts - ethnicity of individuals: analysis
This occasional paper presents new experimental analysis based on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service’s management information, on the ethnicity of individuals who were proceeded against and sentenced from April 2016 to February 2023.
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Justice Analytical Services (JAS): Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: March 2023 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities statistics. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Independent legal representation for sexual offence victims
Support for victims faced with potential questioning in court about their sexual history.
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Justice Analytical Services (JAS): Safer Communities and Justice Statistics Monthly Data Report: February 2023 edition
This report contains summary statistics covering a number of important justice and safer communities statistics. It is published with up to date statistics every month.
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Making the justice system better for victims: what did you tell us?
Easy read summary of the main findings from the consultation on improving victims' experiences of the justice system
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Legal Aid £11m package agreed
Funding secures free legal services to those most in need.
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New custodial unit for women
Glasgow centre is aimed at transforming support for women in custody.
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Justice Analytical Services - safer communities and justice statistics monthly data report: July 2022 edition
This is a monthly data summary report with an overview of a number of important justice and safer communities statistics.
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Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill passes
New laws will ensure safety for people across Scotland.
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Victims’ consultation launches
Putting people at the heart of the justice system.
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Sheriff Courts - remand and bail outcomes: occasional paper
A paper illustrating some of the key trends in bail and remand decisions, based on a new dataset prepared by Scottish Courts and Tribunals Services.
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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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Not proven consultation opens
Views sought on three verdict system and related reforms.
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Death in custody review
Two year review recommends independent body investigates prison deaths.
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New victim support fund announced
Scheme will diversify and broaden support for victims.
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Pledge on children’s rights
Work on landmark legislation will continue.
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Modernising legal services
New system proposed to place consumer interests at its heart.
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Supporting children in the justice system
Improving services for victims and witnesses.
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Backing for staff facing abuse
Wearing of face coverings vital to limit COVID-19 spread.
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Investment to support legal aid traineeships
Cash will strengthen vital sector during COVID recovery.
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Supporting the legal profession
Funding of up to £20 million available for solicitors.
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Cross-EU border civil and commercial legal cases from 1 January 2021: guidance for legal professionals
Updated guidance for legal professionals on applicable law and on jurisdiction and recognition and enforcement of judgments in cross-EU border civil and commercial legal cases from 1 January 2021.
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Hate Crime law reform
Amendments to Bill proposed to safeguard freedom of speech.
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Family court process to be more child friendly
Legislation to put the best interests of children at the heart of cases.
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Emergency marriage and civil partnership guidance
Advice announced as part of second Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill.
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Short-term prisoners considered for early release
Further safeguard for those working and living in prisons amid COVID-19 outbreak.
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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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Parliament asked to back emergency Coronavirus Bill
New powers outlined for justice, public services and the economy
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Improving digital evidence sharing
Modernising the criminal justice system.
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Civil Justice Statistics in Scotland 2017-18
An Official Statistics Publication for Scotland.
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Widening access to civil justice
Legislation to expand funding options for civil actions passed.