Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004

7 Special pre-trial procedures for ascertaining in such cases whether accused has engaged a solicitor

(1) In section 71 (first diet) of the 1995 Act—

(a) in subsection (A1)—

(i) after “diet” there is inserted “in proceedings to which subsection (B1) below applies”,

(ii) the words from “where” to “applies” are repealed, and

(iii) for “he” substitute “the accused”,

(b) after that subsection there is inserted—

“(B1) This subsection applies to proceedings—

(a) in which the accused is charged with a sexual offence to which section 288C of this Act applies,

(b) to which section 288E of this Act applies, or

(c) in which an order under section 288F(2) of this Act has been made before the trial diet.”,

(c) in subsection (5A), for paragraph (a) there is substituted—

“(a) the proceedings in which the first diet is being held are proceedings to which subsection (B1) above applies;”.

(2) In section 71A (further pre-trial diet in sheriff court solemn proceedings: dismissal or withdrawal of solicitor representing accused in case of sexual offence) of the 1995 Act, in subsection (1)(a), for the words “charged with a sexual offence to which section 288C” there is substituted “in proceedings to which subsection (B1) of section 71”.

(3) In section 72A (pre-trial diet in High Court proceedings: inquiry about legal representation of accused in cases of sexual offences) of the 1995 Act—

(a) in subsection (1), for the words from the beginning to “Act” there is substituted “In proceedings to which this section”,

(b) after that subsection there is inserted—

“(1A) This section applies to proceedings in the High Court—

(a) in which the accused is charged with a sexual offence to which section 288C of this Act applies,

(b) to which section 288E of this Act applies, or

(c) in which an order under section 288F(2) of this Act has been made before the trial diet.”.