Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 1995

47 Insanity in bar of trial

(1) For subsection (1) of section 174 of the 1975 Act (finding of insanity in bar of trial in solemn proceedings) there shall be substituted the following subsections—

“(1) Where the court is satisfied, on the written or oral evidence of two medical practitioners, that a person charged on indictment with the commission of an offence is insane so that his trial cannot proceed or, if it has commenced, cannot continue, the court shall, subject to subsection (1A) below—

(a) make a finding to that effect and state the reasons for that finding;

(b) discharge the trial diet and order that a diet (in this Act referred to as an “an examination of facts”) be held under section 174ZA of this Act; and

(c) remand the person in custody or on bail or, where the court is satisfied—

(i) on the written or oral evidence of two medical practitioners, that he is suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree which warrants his admission to hospital under Part V of the [1984 c. 36.] Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984; and

(ii) that a hospital is available for his admission and suitable for his detention,

make an order (in this section referred to as a “temporary hospital order”) committing him to that hospital until the conclusion of the examination of facts.

(1A) Subsection (1) above is without prejudice to the power of the court, on an application by the prosecutor, to desert the diet pro loco et tempore.

(1B) The court may, before making a finding under subsection (1) above as to the insanity of a person, adjourn the case in order that investigation of his mental condition may be carried out.

(1C) The court which made a temporary hospital order may, at any time while the order is in force, review the order on the ground that there has been a change of circumstances since the order was made and, on such review—

(a) where the court considers that such an order is no longer required in relation to a person, it shall revoke the order and may remand him in custody or on bail;

(b) in any other case, the court may—

(i) confirm or vary the order; or

(ii) revoke the order and make such other order, under subsection (1)(c) above or any other provision of this Part of this Act, as the court considers appropriate.”.

(2) For subsection (2) of section 375 of the 1975 Act (finding of insanity in bar of trial in summary proceedings) there shall be substituted the following subsections—

“(2) Where the court is satisfied, on the written or oral evidence of two medical practitioners, that a person charged summarily in the sheriff court with the commission of an offence is insane so that his trial cannot proceed or, if it has commenced, cannot continue, the court shall, subject to subsection (2A) below—

(a) make a finding to that effect and state the reasons for that finding;

(b) discharge the trial diet and order that a diet (in this Act referred to as an “examination of facts”) be held in accordance with section 375ZA of this Act; and

(c) remand the person in custody or on bail or, where the court is satisfied—

(i) on the written or oral evidence of two medical practitioners, that he is suffering from mental disorder of a nature or degree which warrants his admission to hospital under Part V of the [1984 c. 36.] Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984; and

(ii) that a hospital is available for his admission and suitable for his detention,

make an order (in this section referred to as a “temporary hospital order”) committing him to that hospital until the conclusion of the examination of facts.

(2A) Subsection (2) above is without prejudice to the power of the court, on an application by the prosecutor, to desert the diet pro loco et tempore.

(2B) The court may, before making a finding under subsection (2) above as to the insanity of a person, adjourn the case in order that investigation of his mental condition may be carried out.

(2C) The court which made a temporary hospital order may, at any time while the order is in force, review the order on the ground that there has been a change of circumstances since the order was made and, on such review—

(a) where the court considers that such an order is no longer required in relation to a person, it shall revoke the order and may remand him in custody or on bail;

(b) in any other case, the court may—

(i) confirm or vary the order; or

(ii) revoke the order and make such other order, under subsection (2)(c) above or any other provision of this Part of this Act, as the court considers appropriate.”.