Ministers publish proposed reforms associated with domestic abuse offence

 

Changes in criminal procedure related to a new specific offence of domestic abuse have been proposed by the Scottish Government.

Ministers intend legislating in the current Parliamentary year to create the offence, and they say that the way the justice system handles domestic abuse cases needs to be modernised.

Four areas have been identified for reform – a new standard bail condition prohibiting an accused from obtaining precognitions or statements from a complainer except through a solicitor; a ban on accused persons conducting their own defence; the introduction of expert evidence about the behaviour of the complainer; and, on conviction, mandatory consideration of a criminal non-harassment order.

The Scottish Government is seeking views on its proposals, details at http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0050/00507018.pdf