All the updated news related to witnesses and justice reform (scotland) bill

All the news related to witnesses and justice reform (scotland) bill updated in real time

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Scotland

Not proven verdict can ‘retraumatise’ victims – Angela Constance

Scotland’s not proven verdict can “retraumatise” victims of crime, the Justice Secretary has said, as a Bill to reform Scotland’s justice system is published. Angela Constance acknowledged it has taken a “long time” for the legislation on scrapping ...

26 Apr 2023 at 15:08

Scotland

Bill to scrap not proven verdict and reform justice system published

The Bill to scrap Scotland’s not proven verdict and make a number of changes to the justice system has been published. The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill will also change the size of criminal juries from 15 to 12. It aims to ...

26 Apr 2023 at 12:20

Scotland

Juryless rape trial pilot could cause ‘chaos’, committee hears

Plans to pilot juryless rape trials could lead to “chaos, delay and disaster” if more defence lawyers leave the profession, a Holyrood committee has heard. Alongside a move to judge-only trials for rape offences, the Criminal Justice Committee is ...

24 Jan 2024 at 19:59

Scotland

Sexual assault survivors recall being treated as ‘just a bit of evidence’ in court

Rape survivors have told how they were treated as an “afterthought” by the criminal justice system, which left them feeling like an “outsider” or just “a bit of evidence”. With Holyrood considering major changes to the legal process, including ...

17 Jan 2024 at 13:16

Scotland

Pilot of juryless rape trials worth doing, senior judge tells MSPs

One of Scotland’s most senior judges has told MSPs she thinks it is worth having a pilot of rape trials without juries, proposals which have proved controversial in the legal profession. Lady Dorrian, the Lord Justice Clerk, said such a ...

10 Jan 2024 at 12:13

Scotland

Swinney ‘not persuaded’ of need for grooming gangs inquiry

John Swinney has said he is “not persuaded” there needs to be an inquiry into the operation of grooming gangs in Scotland. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a national inquiry into grooming gangs in June, but the First Minister ...

11 Sept 2025 at 13:27

Scotland

Government’s justice reform Bill will be a ‘sham’ without changes, warn Tories

The Government’s flagship justice reform Bill risks being a “sham” if changes are not made, the Scottish Conservatives have warned. The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill is expected to go to a final vote next week ...

12 Sept 2025 at 22:00

Scotland

Lib Dems seek cross-party support for exclusion zones for criminals on licence

The Scottish Liberal Democrats have urged other parties to back proposals which would ban criminals from certain places when they are released on licence. MSP Jamie Greene has submitted amendments to the Victims, Witnesses and ...

14 Sept 2025 at 00:01

Scotland

Swinney confident proposed new law will meet the needs of victims

Scotland’s First Minister has said he is “confident” a Bill due to face a final vote this week will support victims. The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill is expected to go before MSPs for a mammoth ...

15 Sept 2025 at 11:51

Scotland

Bill to scrap not proven verdict will lead to ‘clearer’ system for Scotland

Legislation which will scrap Scotland’s controversial not proven verdict will lead to a “clearer” and “more transparent system, Holyrood Justice Secretary Angela Constance has insisted. The measure is just part of a ...

16 Sept 2025 at 00:01

MSPs expected to back ‘landmark’ Bill to scrap Scotland’s not proven verdict

“Landmark” legislation that will abolish Scotland’s unique not proven verdict is expected to be passed by Holyrood on Wednesday. The scrapping of the third verdict, which only exists in Scotland, is one of the ...

17 Sept 2025 at 02:45

Scotland

‘Real risk’ of Scotland falling behind in tackling grooming gangs, Tories claim

Tories have claimed there is a “real risk” Scotland could fall behind England in dealing with child sexual abuse after MSPs voted down a bid to force research into grooming gangs. Scottish Conservative ...

16 Sept 2025 at 19:51

Years
2025

Related keywords
angela constance
humza yousaf
judge-only trials
juries
law society
not proven
politics
rape crisis scotland
sexual offences
third verdict
victims witnesses and justice reform (scotland) bill

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