Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill
The Bill makes changes to the law to try to improve the experience of victims and witnesses in the justice system. The Bill also makes changes to the criminal justice system to try to improve the fairness, clarity and transparency of the framework within which decisions in criminal cases are made.
The Bill is at Stage 2
Contents
Introduced
The Scottish Government introduces the Bill and accompanying documents to the Parliament which publishes the Bill.
The Bill was introduced on 25 April 2023
Bill as introduced
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill as Introduced (3MB, pdf) posted 25 April 2023
Financial resolution
The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is required for this Bill.
Related information from the Scottish Government on the bill
Explanatory Notes
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill explanatory notes (354KB, pdf) posted 25 April 2023
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill explanatory notes (print version) (409KB, pdf) posted 25 April 2023
Explanation of the Bill
Policy Memorandum
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill policy memorandum (1MB, pdf) posted 26 April 2023
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill policy memorandum (print version) (956KB, pdf) posted 26 April 2023
Why the Bill is being introduced
Financial Memorandum
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill financial memorandum (552KB, pdf) posted 26 April 2023
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill financial memorandum (print version) (530KB, pdf) posted 25 April 2023
How much the Bill is likely to cost
Delegated Powers Memorandum
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill delegated powers memorandum (214KB, pdf) posted 25 April 2023
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill delegated powers memorandum (print version) (303KB, pdf) posted 25 April 2023
Information on the powers the Bill gives the Scottish Ministers and others to make “secondary legislation” (usually regulations) and to the Scottish Ministers (such as to make guidance).
Statements on Legislative Competence
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill legislative competence statements (118KB, pdf) posted 25 April 2023
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill legislative competence statements (print version) (220KB, pdf) posted 25 April 2023
Statements on whether the Bill is within the Parliament’s “legislative competence” (if the Parliament has the power to make the changes to the law proposed by the Bill).
Scottish Parliament research on the Bill
Victims, Witness, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill research briefing