Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews in Scotland: Statutory Guidance

Section 13 –Biennial Thematic Reports

The 2025 Act makes provision for the Scottish Ministers to prepare and publish, as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of a two year reporting period, a domestic homicide and suicide review thematic report. This report is to be laid before Parliament.

13.1. Thematic Review – Report

The biennial thematic review reports are to include a range of information as set out below. However, Scottish Ministers can include additional points or information beyond these:

• any common themes emerging from domestic homicide and suicide reviews
• information about any lessons identified which Scottish Ministers consider should be highlighted. These may relate to matters which are not yet common themes because they have not arisen repeatedly, but need to be known about in future cases where the same issues arise, e.g. in relation to disability, male victims or animal abuse
• information about actions taken following recommendations made and where known, the impact of those actions
• the reasons for any decisions that a case was not to be reviewed e.g. because the connection to Scotland was too peripheral
• the number of notices given by the Lord Advocate which suspend, discontinue or allow the resumption of a review, along with the reasons given for any suspension or discontinuation
• statistical information that will provide an overall picture of the work taking place throughout the reporting period in respect of the review model.

The report will be prepared by the Secretariat who will consult with relevant persons including Review Oversight Committee Chair and Deputy Chair, Case Review Panel Chairs and other such appropriate persons.

13.2. Thematic Review – Coordination of Updates

The Secretariat will coordinate updates for the thematic report from the Single Points of Contact within each relevant agency seeking a statement on progress against and impact of learning and recommendations. It should include key milestones and measurable indicators of progress. There should be a distinction between immediate safety actions, medium-term service changes and longer-term cultural or systems improvements. The Scottish Ministers may publish the agency’s written response in full or in part including where a response has not been provided or where progress has not been made to implement recommendations.