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- Criminal Justice Committee seek views on Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill
Criminal Justice Committee seek views on Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill
19 June 2023
The Scottish Government Bill aims to improve the experiences of victims and witnesses within Scotland’s justice system – in particular, the victims of sexual crime.
The Bill proposes a number of changes, including the introduction of a new Victims and Witnesses Commissioner, changes to the size of juries, the abolition of the not proven verdict, a new Sexual Offences Court and a pilot of rape trials conducted by a single judge without a jury.
Once the call for views closes, the Committee intend to consider the Bill in 3 phases.
Phase 1 will focus upon, among other things:
- Establishing a new Victims and Witnesses Commissioner whose main function would be to promote and support the rights and interests of victims and witnesses. As well as trauma-informed procedures and civil law cases;
Phase 2 will consider provisions such as:
- Making changes to the size of juries
- The abolition of the not proven verdict;
And Phase 3 will look at proposals including:
- A new Sexual Offences Court
- And a pilot of rape trials conducted by a single judge without a jury.
It is expected that the Committee will complete Stage 1 scrutiny in early 2024.
As the inquiry launched, Criminal Justice Committee Convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said:
“As a Committee, we know there is a great deal of public interest in this Bill and we intend to consider its provisions in a thorough and balanced way.
“The Bill proposes a number of fundamental changes to the justice system in Scotland and it is essential that these changes act to improve the experience of victims and witnesses.
“We recognise the controversy over some aspects of this Bill but it is important that the Committee hears from all sides before forming any conclusions.
“Our call for views is now open and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on the various provisions in the Bill.”
Let the Committee know your views
The call for views closes on 8 September 2023.
Contact details
Media information
Nick Connelly: 07866 125623
Committee information
To contact the Committee about this inquiry please contact:
Public information
- Telephone enquiry line: 0800 092 7500 or 0131 348 5395 (Gàidhlig)
- info@parliament.scot
- Text 07786 209 888
- We also welcome calls using the Text Relay service or in British Sign Language through contactSCOTLAND-BSL
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