All the updated news related to witnesses and justice reform

All the news related to witnesses and justice reform updated in real time

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Scotland

Efforts to reduce re-traumatisation of victims outlined amid justice reforms

A framework to reduce the risk of re-traumatisation of victims and witnesses of crime has been introduced to aid changes to the justice system. The trauma-informed justice: a knowledge and skills framework has been published by the Scottish ...

03 May 2023 at 13:02

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 ...

26 Apr 2023 at 12:20

Scotland

Vulnerable witnesses supported with new evidence suite funding

Additional specialist suites to help children and vulnerable adults give evidence in serious criminal trials are being established following £2 million of investment. The Evidence by Commissioner (EBC) facilities allow vulnerable ...

23 Apr 2024 at 00:01

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, ...

10 Jan 2024 at 12:13

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 ...

26 Apr 2023 at 15:08

Aberdeen lawyers join boycott of juryless rape trials pilot

Scotland

Aberdeen lawyers reportedly join boycott of juryless rape trials pilot

Lawyers in Aberdeen will join the boycott of Scottish Government plans to hold a pilot of juryless rape trials. The plans have proven controversial in recent weeks, with lawyers in Glasgow and Edinburgh saying they will ...

08 May 2023 at 11:47

Scotland

‘Fundamental change’ needed to tackle violence against women, report concludes

A report on violence against women and girls in Scotland has highlighted the need for “fundamental change”, Scottish Labour has said. The party’s research has been published to coincide with the international day for ...

25 Nov 2023 at 00:01

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 ...

17 Jan 2024 at 13:16

Scotland

Grasp the nettle and back stand-alone sex offences court, Constance urges MSPs

Justice Secretary Angela Constance has urged MSPs to “grasp the nettle” and back Scottish Government plans to set up a stand-alone court to prosecute sexual offences. The measure has been proposed by SNP ministers ...

26 Feb 2025 at 12:58

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, ...

24 Jan 2024 at 19:59

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 justice ...

16 Sept 2025 at 19:51

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 ...

14 Sept 2025 at 00:01

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