The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 2941 contributions
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 24 January 2024
Audrey Nicoll
Thank you, Professor Munro—there is a lot in there. I will move swiftly on and bring in Professor Chalmers.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 24 January 2024
Audrey Nicoll
Thank you for your interesting commentary on how essential good technology is. Before I bring in Katy Clark for a final question, does Professor Thomas want to add anything?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 24 January 2024
Audrey Nicoll
I welcome our second panel of witnesses: Tony Lenehan KC, president of the Faculty of Advocates criminal bar association; Sheila Webster, president of the Law Society of Scotland; Alan McCreadie, solicitor and head of research and secretary to the Law Society of Scotland’s criminal law committee; and Simon Di Rollo KC. Welcome to you all. We are very grateful to you for joining the meeting.
I intend to allow around 90 minutes for this panel. I propose that we initially focus our questions on the proposal for a new sexual offences court before moving on to the proposal for a pilot for judge-led trials in certain rape cases. Finally, we can discuss the proposals for independent legal representation for complainers and anonymity for victims of sex offences.
As usual, I will open with my general question for the panel. Recently, in her evidence to the committee, Lady Dorrian argued that a specialist sexual offences court, among other measures, is required if we are to achieve the kind of changes that we need. She warned that piecemeal reforms would not bring about the necessary shift in culture. I will start by asking Tony Lenehan to respond to that.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 24 January 2024
Audrey Nicoll
We seem to have lost Katy Clark momentarily. Would Simon Di Rollo like to come in on this point?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 24 January 2024
Audrey Nicoll
We will patiently wait and see whether we can get Katy back; I imagine that she will have some follow-up questions.
Would you like to come in, Mr McCreadie?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 24 January 2024
Audrey Nicoll
Thank you all, again. I close the meeting.
Meeting closed at 13:08.Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 24 January 2024
Audrey Nicoll
I call Pauline McNeill, to be followed by John Swinney.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 24 January 2024
Audrey Nicoll
In that case, I will bring in Russell Findlay, followed by Rona Mackay.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 17 January 2024
Audrey Nicoll
Thank you, Hannah. Finally, does Sarah want to say anything?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 17 January 2024
Audrey Nicoll
I open up the session to members, starting with Rona Mackay.