HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland: guide

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland (IPS) is an independent scrutiny body whose role is to inspect the operation of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). COPFS is the sole prosecuting authority in Scotland.

Independent status

The Inspectorate is independent from COPFS. It is led by HM Chief Inspector of Prosecution in Scotland who reports directly to the Lord Advocate.

Our staff are not involved in any activity relating to the operation of COPFS. While some staff are seconded from COPFS to work with IPS on a fixed-term basis for their expertise on prosecution-related issues, when at IPS they are under the direction of HM Chief Inspector of Prosecution.

Vision and values

Our aim is to enhance the quality of service and public confidence in COPFS through independent inspection and evaluation

Our principal statutory functions are:

• to secure the inspection of the operation of COPFS
• to submit to the Lord Advocate a report on any matter related to the operation of the service which the Lord Advocate refers to the Inspector
• to submit to the Lord Advocate an annual report on the exercise of the Inspector's functions which the Lord Advocate must lay before the Scottish Parliament

More information about our work is in the framework document below.

Inspectorate team members

Deborah O’Brien Demick, HM Chief Inspector

Deborah joined the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) as a trainee in 1999 and has worked in courts across Scotland.

She is highly experienced in the preparation and prosecution of cases and conduct of Fatal Accident Inquiries. She delivered the first successful application under the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011, which paved the way and culminated in the re-trial and conviction of Angus Sinclair for the 1977 murders of Christine Eadie and Helen Scott.  

Deborah has held a number of senior roles across COPFS, most recently as Deputy Head of National Homicide Team and Road Traffic Fatalities Investigation Unit where she was responsible for senior leadership of investigations, and the development of strategies to deliver service improvements.  

She delivered an in-depth review of Child Deaths and Non–Accidental Injuries in Children, published in 2024, which established a framework for COPFS and partners to support bereaved families and address the reduction of preventable deaths.  

She has also contributed to the Scottish Government Domestic Homicide Review Taskforce working with partners to develop work to review such deaths.  

Deborah holds an Honours Degree in Scots Law from the University of Dundee and postgraduate diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Strathclyde.

Deborah joined IPS in July 2025.

Yolande Love, Assistant Inspector of Prosecution

Yolande graduated in Scots Law from the University of Aberdeen in 1997 and obtained her Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 1998. She completed her legal traineeship in private practice before establishing her legal career in the public sector.

Yolande spent four years as a solicitor at Renfrewshire Council and dealt with a range of local government matters such as civil litigation, licensing, management of the District Court and providing legal advice to client Council Departments and elected members.

Yolande joined the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in February 2005, and she has over seventeen years’ experience as a prosecutor. Her work as a Procurator Fiscal Depute and Senior Procurator Fiscal Depute has involved operational court work in Initial Case Processing, Summary, and Sheriff and Jury units in Kilmarnock and Airdrie. She developed her experience with specialised casework within High Court Sexual Offences.

Yolande’s strong interest in the work of IPS was sparked during a secondment from COPFS as a Legal Inspector in 2017 to 2020.

Latterly, Yolande worked within the Policy Division at COPFS and led on the development of various prosecution polices and implementation of key government policies within COPFS and prepared advice and briefings for Law Officers and senior management.

After a short period working as a solicitor within the legal team at the Scottish Hospitals Public Inquiry, Yolande joined IPS in July 2023.

Scott Toal, Legal Inspector

Scott graduated from the University of Dundee with a degree in Scots law and Diploma in Legal Practice in 2000 and joined the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) as a trainee solicitor in August of that year.  He has worked in a variety of roles within COPFS since then including all aspects of summary prosecution as well as experience in Health and Safety, Sheriff and Jury, Initial Case Marking and High Court case preparation. Scott has over 23 years’ experience as a prosecutor.

While at COPFS, Scott was interviewed more than once by IPS as part of its inspections. He recognised the role of IPS in improving the quality of service provided by COPFS to victims and witnesses and the public in general, and Scott was keen to join. In April 2024 Scott commenced a secondment to IPS for three years.

Carolyn Sharp, Personal Assistant to HM Chief Inspector

Carolyn joined Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in January 2002 having previously worked for Glasgow City Council in secretarial and administrative roles. She worked within Glasgow Procurator Fiscal's Office as Fiscal Officer and latterly deputised as PA to Area Procurator Fiscal.

Carolyn joined the IPS in October 2003.

Kate Neill, Business Inspector

Kate joined Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in 1986 and worked in administration at the Dumfries, Ayr and Glasgow Procurator Fiscal Offices. She transferred to the Crown Office Internal Audit Unit in September 1994 where she qualified as an internal auditor and remained there until she joined the Scottish Executive Audit Services in December 2004.

Kate joined the IPS in July 2005.

Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland: framework

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