Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) (Scotland) Act 2018

16 Interpretation

In this Act—

• “alternative to prosecution” is to be construed in accordance with section 13(3),

• “conviction”, in addition to being construed in accordance with section 13(2) and (4), includes any finding in criminal proceedings that a person has committed an offence or done the act or made the omission charged (including a finding linked with mental disorder or in respect of which an admonition or absolute discharge is made),

• “disregarded conviction” is a conviction for a historical sexual offence in respect of which a disregard has taken effect by virtue of Part 3 (see sections 7(5) and 8(7)),

• “historical sexual offence” has the meaning given by section 2,

• “official records” means records containing information about persons convicted of offences kept by any relevant record keeper for the purposes of its functions (but does not include any records in the care of the Keeper of the Records of Scotland),

• “person”, for the purposes of section 3 only, includes a deceased person,

• “proceedings before a judicial authority” has the meaning given by section 9(6),

• “relevant record keeper” means a person prescribed in regulations made under section 10(5).