Minutes: 08 March 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (Designation of Participating Countries) (Scotland) Order 2023 [draft] from—

Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans and Vivienne McColl, Policy Manager, International Justice Cooperation Unit, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Keith Brown (Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans) moved—

S6M-07936—That the Criminal Justice Committee recommends that the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (Designation of Participating Countries) (Scotland) Order 2023 [draft] be approved.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Prescribed Police Stations) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/39)

5. Post-legislative scrutiny review of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018:

The Committee took evidence from—

Dr Claire Houghton, Lecturer in Social Policy and Qualitative Research, University of Edinburgh;

Professor Michele Burman, Professor of Criminology, Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research, University of Glasgow;

Amanda Masson, Partner, Harper Macleod LLP;

Dr Marsha Scott, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Women's Aid;

and then from—

Moira Price, National Procurator Fiscal for Domestic Abuse and Head of Victims and Witnesses Policy Team, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service;

Craig Naylor, Chief Inspector, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland;

Detective Chief Superintendent Sam Faulds, Head of Public Protection, Specialist Crime Division, Police Scotland.

6. Post-legislative scrutiny review of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018 (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard earlier under agenda item 5.