Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018

11 (1) The Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 1 (aggravation of offence where abuse of partner or ex-partner), in subsection (6)(b), the words “or civil partners” are repealed.

(3) After section 1 there is inserted—

“1A Presumption as to the relationship

(1) In proceedings for an offence that is aggravated as described in section 1(1)(a), the matter of a person being another person’s partner or ex-partner is to be taken as established—

(a) according to the stating of the matter in the charge of the offence in the complaint or indictment, and

(b) unless the matter is challenged as provided for in subsection (2).

(2) The matter is challenged—

(a) in summary proceedings, by—

(i) preliminary objection before the plea is recorded, or

(ii) later objection as the court allows in special circumstances,

(b) in proceedings on indictment, by giving notice of a preliminary objection in accordance with section 71(2) or 72(6)(b)(i) of the 1995 Act.”.