Question reference: S6W-02819
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 14 September 2021
-
Current status: Answered by Dorothy Bain on 29 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it anticipates the preliminary hearings for the fatal accident inquiry into the Cameron House fire will be held.
Answer
The sheriff must make an order (a “first order”) initiating the inquiry within 14 days of receiving the first notice from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
If the sheriff orders that a preliminary hearing is to be held, it must be ordered to take place within 56 days after the date of the first order.
The purpose of a preliminary hearing is to - ensure that the purpose of the inquiry is achieved when the inquiry takes place, consider the scope of the inquiry and identify the issues which are in dispute, and consider the information likely to be presented at the inquiry and the manner in which it should be presented.
The sheriff may order as many preliminary hearings to take place as is necessary to achieve that purpose.