Chamber and committees

All appeals against conviction, either in summary or solemn procedure, require to be lodged with court and intimated to COPFS. Not all appeals lodged pass sift and therefore not all progress to a hearing. Equally, not all appeals lodged are insisted upon. The input of COPFS depends upon the stage of appeal proceedings. This question as currently framed cannot be readily answered by COPFS.

COPFS is a national organisation, with 37 offices located across Scotland, including three in the Sheriffdom of Grampian: Aberdeen, Peterhead and Banff. Provision of services to ensure equitable access to justice is therefore delivered nationally.

For those whose first language is not English, COPFS works with partners in the criminal justice system to ensure that those accused of a crime, as well as bereaved relatives, victims and witnesses, have access to high quality interpreting, translation and transcription services when accessing services and has made a public commitment to this. COPFS proactively translates correspondence with victims, witnesses, and bereaved relatives where a language need has been identified; provides interpreters, including British Sign Language interpreters, for victims, witnesses and bereaved relatives who are required to attend at court or wish to follow proceedings during an FAI (Fatal Accident Inquiry); arranges for the translation of key information documents into the top ten languages used by immigrants to Scotland, all of which are available on the COPFS website.

COPFS understands the physical and emotional effects crime can have on victims and the vital role witnesses play in the criminal justice system and is committed to meeting their needs, communicating effectively and recognising any equality and inclusion requirements.

COPFS is a key partner in the multi-agency work flowing from the Scottish Government’s Equally Safe strategy for preventing and eradicating violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse. Effectively tackling domestic abuse is an organisational priority for both Police Scotland and COPFS.

Police Scotland and COPFS have an established Joint protocol in domestic abuse cases which is publicly available on the COPFS website. The Protocol is not confined to one COPFS office. It outlines the procedures and practices to be followed by Police Scotland and COPFS in the investigation, reporting and prosecution of allegations involving domestic abuse throughout Scotland. COPFS’ presumption of prosecution in domestic abuse cases is confirmed by the Statement of prosecution policy in cases involving domestic abuse, also publicly available on the COPFS website. All cases of domestic abuse are referred to the Victim Information and Advice (VIA) service within COPFS.

Victims of domestic abuse are deemed vulnerable witnesses under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (s.271(1)(c)(iv)) and are automatically entitled to special measures to assist them in giving evidence. Cases with vulnerable witnesses are prioritised both by the court in fixing trial and throughout trial preparation by prosecutors.

The following table details the charges reported to COPFS for the period 1 April 2019-31 March 2024 subsequently marked for court proceedings (prosecuted) – in cases where accused is recorded as a company. These figures are correct as at 17 December 2024. There may also be a number of charges awaiting a marking decision.

Information in respect of journey times of cases brought to court is produced by the Scottish Government, using data provided both by COPFS and SCTS. These are national figures and are not produced for individual courts or Procurator Fiscal Offices.

The following table details the number of cases for which a FAI was held in each of the last 5 years.

As at 30 November 2024, COPFS employs 733 legal staff.

There are a number of potential supports available to young disabled people living in Scotland, depending on their individual needs, circumstances and eligibility. These include: the Independent Living Fund; the Independent Living Fund Transition Fund; the Independent Living Fund Technology Grant; Adult Disability Payment; and Young Scot National Entitlement Card.

Young disabled people who choose to study a course of Further Education or Higher Education are also eligible to apply for Additional Support Needs for Learning Allowance and the Disabled Students Allowance respectively.

The Scottish Government provided £57,000 in 2024-25 to Birthlink via the Children, Young People and Families Early Intervention and Adult Learning and Empowering Communities Fund (CYPFEI & ALEC) third sector fund to support the operation of the Adoption Contact Register.

Despite facing the most challenging financial situation since devolution, the Scottish Government remains committed to supporting the third sector. Subject to approval of the Scottish Budget by the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government will be extending provision of the CYPFEI & ALEC third sector funds at current levels, from 1 April 2025 until March 2026.

The Scottish Government is committed to supporting those separated by adoption to express a wish to be in touch with one another

Scottish Government policy officials met with Birthlink on 17 December 2024 to discuss the operation of the Adoption Contact Register. The Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise plans to meet the Chief Executive of Birthlink in early 2025.