Criminal Justice Committee
The Committee was established in June 2021. It focuses on the Criminal Justice system in Scotland, including:
- Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
- Courts, including the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service
- Prosecution and the work of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
- The Scottish Prison Service and community sentencing
Next meeting of the committee
Start time:
10:00am, Wednesday 21 May 2025
Location: T4.60-CR6 The Livingstone Room
Agenda:
- Decision on taking business in private
- Non-fatal strangulation
- Non-fatal strangulation (in private)
- Work programme (in private)
Future meetings of the committee
The Criminal Justice Committee usually meets weekly on Wednesdays.
Previous meetings of the committee
Work of the Committee
Current work
Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill
Inquiry into the harm caused by substance misuse in Scottish Prisons
Policing and mental health
Priorities in the justice sector and an Action Plan
Prison Population
Reducing drug deaths in Scotland and tackling problem drug use
Research on the impact of the UK’s exit from membership of the EU on law enforcement and judicial cooperation in Scotland
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill
Completed work
Access to court transcripts for victims and survivors of rape and sexual offences
Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill
Dangerous Dogs (Compensation and Exemption Schemes) (Scotland) Order 2024
Dangerous Dogs (Designated Types) (Scotland) Order 2024
Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Bill
Legislative Consent Memorandum for the Investigatory Powers (Amendment) Bill
Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Criminal Justice Bill
Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill
Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill
Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Online Safety Bill
Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Public Order Bill
Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill
Post-Legislative Scrutiny of the Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018
Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2023-24
Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2024-25
Pre-budget scrutiny 2025-26
Work programme
Future work
The following has been agreed as the future work of the Committee. It will be updated on a regular basis. It is subject to change.
For further details or questions, please contact the clerks to the Committee.
Wednesday 14 May 2025
- Challenges facing Business and Vulnerable Individuals in Scotland from Cybercrime - oral evidence session
- Secure care
- Annual report 2024-25
Wednesday 21 May 2025
- TBC
Wednesday 28 May 2025
- TBC
Correspondence
Correspondence
Update on Scottish Government plans to introduce a Misogyny Bill
2 May 2025
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs to the Convener, 2 May 2025
Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews Bill Stage 1 Response
28 March 2025
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs to the Convener, 28 March 2025
Stage 2 Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill
18 March 2025
Letter from the Lord Advocate to the Convener, 18 March 2025
Official Reports of meetings
Official Reports of meetings
Meeting date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Subordinate Legislation, Law Enforcement and Judicial Co-operation (European Union)
Meeting date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Subordinate Legislation, People’s Panel on Tackling Drug Harm and Deaths
Meeting date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Meeting date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Meeting date: Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Meeting date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Meeting date: Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Meeting date: Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Meeting date: Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
Reports
Committee reports
Stage 1 report from the Criminal Justice Committee on the Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill.
A report by the Criminal Justice Committee on the International Organisations (Immunities and Privileges) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2025 [draft] .
Subordinate Legislation Considered by the Criminal Justice Committee on 18 December 2024
A report on affirmative instruments considered by the Criminal Justice Committee on 18 December 2024.
Committee Remit
To consider and report on matters relating to criminal justice falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, and functions of the Lord Advocate other than as head of the systems of criminal prosecution and investigation of deaths in Scotland.
Current Members
Audrey Nicoll
Convener
Scottish National Party
Liam Kerr
Deputy Convener
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Katy Clark
Member
Scottish Labour
Sharon Dowey
Member
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Fulton MacGregor
Member
Scottish National Party
Rona Mackay
Member
Scottish National Party
Ben Macpherson
Member
Scottish National Party
Pauline McNeill
Member
Scottish Labour
Full details of committee membership, including substitute and previous members