Chamber and committees

As with all projects, Transport Scotland Officials regularly discuss and review draft documents prepared by its technical advisors on an ongoing basis as part of the process to finalise reports prior to seeking Ministerial approval to publish. No changes were made by the Scottish Ministers to the draft outcomes of the A96 Corridor Review that identified an optimal Refined Package of improvements.

The position of the Scottish Government has not changed – the current favoured position is to fully dual the A96, and we are already taking forward the dualling process from Inverness to Nairn, including Nairn Bypass.

The final subsidy for all Caledonian Sleeper services for the financial year 2024-25 will be known when the accounts for this year have been finalised and published.

The Scottish Government is considering all sensible alternative fuel options for the development of the Scottish rail network.

All appeals against conviction, either in summary or solemn procedure, require to be lodged with court and intimated to COPFS.

Not all appeals lodged, either in summary or solemn procedure, pass sift by the court and therefore not all progress to a court hearing to allow the appeal court to determine whether an appeal is upheld or not.

In addition not all appeals lodged are insisted upon by the defence or the crown.

The input of COPFS depends upon the stage of appeal proceedings. This question as currently framed cannot be readily answered by COPFS.

As at 30 November 2024 the number of procurator fiscals working within specialised units based within the Aberdeen Procurator Fiscal Office is:

3 High Court Sexual Offences

2 High Court Hub

4 Serious Casework group, Scottish fatalities Investigations Unit

1 Serious Casework group, COVID deaths investigation team

1 Local Court Management Team

15 Local Court Sheriff and Jury

11 Local Court Summary

The following table details the extradition cases for the last 10 years in which COPFS have been involved.

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.