Chamber and committees

The courts and judiciary are independent of Government. The project evaluation for a judicially-led project such as Summary Case Management Government are a matter for the judiciary and the government has no role in the development of guidance issued by Sheriffs Principal. It is up to the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) itself to assess the business case for any changes it makes in line with the Scottish Public Finance Manual.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00843 on 16 June 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00845 on 16 June 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

We recognise the findings of the Audit Scotland report and the importance of continuing to strengthen digital capability across the criminal justice system, including progress towards a more cohesive, whole-system approach to data.

There continues to be a focus on Public Service Reform across the justice system, led by the Justice Board, ensuring a collaborative approach is being taken across the portfolio. This includes development of a joined-up justice digital programme, which will seek to understand current capabilities, identify gaps, and agree future priorities within existing structures that will support us in our end-to-end reform of the justice system.

Funding will be considered as part of wider justice portfolio reform and future spending plans, ensuring that investment is targeted and evidence-based.

Reporting of progress to the Justice Board was based on one Vision for Justice aim per quarter, commencing around a year after publication of the delivery plan. The need to discuss higher priorities resulted in reporting being delayed.

Aim five, which includes ‘renewing and transforming the justice system’ covered a number of areas of work, so at times elements from this aim were drawn into other reporting.

Over and above reporting on the strategy aims, priority transformational change efforts – much of which comes under aim five, were reported to the Criminal Justice Board.

We recognise the findings of the Audit Scotland report and are taking the recommendations into account as we work with partners to develop the next delivery plan.

This will provide a single, cross-portfolio plan setting out shared priorities, milestones and measurable outcomes, and align the key collaborative delivery activity across the justice system over the next five years.

We recognise the findings of the Audit Scotland report and the importance of continuing to strengthen governance arrangements. The Scottish Government continues to work with justice partners to improve coordination, oversight and delivery across criminal justice reform work.

Individual areas of work remain subject to the governance arrangements of the relevant justice organisations. However, we are working with partners to strengthen system-wide coordination, including through the proposed Justice Efficiencies and Effectiveness Collaboration group, subject to the necessary resource and support arrangements being put in place.

There is no policy requiring the placement of an accessible defibrillator on every public building, as there is limited evidence that legislation mandating devices in certain locations would improve cardiac arrest outcomes.

Instead, the Scottish Government and Save a Life for Scotland partners use a data-driven, localised approach to increase defibrillator availability and use.

We funded the development of PADmap - Increasing cardiac arrest survival through optimal defibrillator placement, a tool that helps defibrillator guardians identify locations where devices will have the impact. We are also funding the expansion of Cardiac Arrest Rescue Zones (CARe Zones), which support increased defibrillator placement through community engagement.

I refer the member to the answer to question S7W-00845 on 16 June 2026. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers.

Decisions on equipment within the Police Scotland fleet, including defibrillators, are an operational matter for the Chief Constable.

The Chief Constable is responsible for the policing of Scotland and is accountable to the Scottish Police Authority, rather than to Scottish Ministers directly. Therefore, the information requested is not held centrally by the Scottish Government. Police Scotland may be able to provide this information.