Citation, commencement and interpretation
1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2017 and come into force on 24th April 2017.
(2) In these Regulations “the Act” means the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm (Scotland) Act 2016.
Appointed day
2.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), 24th April 2017 is the day appointed for the coming into force of the following provisions of the Act—
(a)section 1 (domestic abuse aggravation);
(b)section 5 (non-harassment orders in criminal cases);
(c)section 6 (jury directions relating to sexual offences);
(d)section 7 (incitement to commit certain sexual acts elsewhere in the United Kingdom);
(e)section 8 (commission of certain sexual offences elsewhere in the United Kingdom);
(f)section 9 (commission of certain sexual offences outside the United Kingdom);
(g)section 41 (interpretation);
(h)section 43 (minor and consequential modifications); and
(i)paragraph 6 of schedule 2 (minor modification of section 54(8) of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009(1)).
(2) Section 43 of the Act comes into force only for the purpose of commencing paragraph 6 of schedule 2.
Transitional provision: domestic abuse aggravation
3. Section 1 of the Act applies in respect of offences committed by acts done or omissions made on or after 24th April 2017.
Transitional provision: non-harassment orders
4. Section 5 of the Act applies in respect of offences committed, acts done, or omissions made, on or after 24th April 2017.
Transitional provision: jury directions relating to sexual offences
5.—(1) Section 6 of the Act applies in respect of proceedings commenced on or after 24th April 2017.
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), proceedings are commenced when the indictment is served.
MICHAEL MATHESON
A member of the Scottish Government
St Andrew’s House,
Edinburgh
21st March 2017