1. These Regulations may be cited as the Advice and Assistance (Proceedings for Recovery of Documents) (Scotland) Regulations 2017 and come into force on the day after the day on which they are made.
2.—(1) Regulation 4 applies only in relation to a case where an application for advice and assistance or assistance by way of representation is made on or after the day on which these Regulations come into force.
(2) Regulation 5 applies only in relation to a case where an application for assistance by way of representation is made on or after the day on which these Regulations come into force.
3. In section 25A of the Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 1986(1), references to criminal legal assistance do not relate to advice and assistance provided to a client in relation to an application for an order for recovery of documents, in connection with criminal proceedings against another person, in which the documents sought include medical or other sensitive documents relating to the client.
4.—(1) The Advice and Assistance (Scotland) Regulations 1996(2) are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 17 (fees and outlays of solicitors), after paragraph (4) insert—
“(4A) In the application of paragraph (1) above to recovery proceedings, the fees allowable to the solicitor shall be assessed as if the advice or assistance was a criminal matter.
(4B) In paragraph (4A), “recovery proceedings” means proceedings relating to an application for an order for recovery of documents, in connection with criminal proceedings, in which—
(a)the documents sought include medical or other sensitive documents relating to a client;
(b)the application has been intimated to the client; and
(c)the client wishes to oppose recovery of the documents on the basis that the granting of the order would infringe their rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.”.
5.—(1) The Advice and Assistance (Assistance by Way of Representation) (Scotland) Regulations 2003(3) are amended as follows.
(2) In regulation 1(2) (interpretation), after the definition of “prisoner” insert—
““recovery proceedings” means proceedings relating to an application for an order for recovery of documents, in connection with criminal proceedings, in which—
the documents sought include medical or other sensitive documents relating to a client;
the application has been intimated to the client; and
the client wishes to oppose recovery of the documents on the basis that the granting of the order would infringe their rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights;”.
(3) In regulation 3 (application of Part II of the Act to assistance by way of representation: miscellaneous proceedings)—
(a)in paragraph (s), omit “and”; and
(b)after paragraph (t), insert—
“; and
(u)recovery proceedings”.
(4) In regulation 9 (prescribed proceedings)—
(a)in paragraph (f), omit “and”; and
(b)after paragraph (h), insert—
“; and
(i)recovery proceedings”.
(5) In regulation 13 (assistance by way of representation requiring approval of the Board)—
(a)in paragraph (1), after “(s)” insert “and (u)”; and
(b)after paragraph (3A) insert—
“(3B) The Board must only approve the provision of assistance by way of representation in relation to recovery proceedings where it is satisfied that the legal representation is required to allow the client to participate effectively in the proceedings.”.
(6) In regulation 14—
(a)the heading becomes “Effective participation in proceedings”; and
(b)after “13(3A)” insert “or (3B)”.
ANNABELLE EWING
Authorised to sign by the Scottish Ministers
St Andrew’s House,
Edinburgh
12th September 2017