Explanatory Notes

Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Act 2011

2011 asp 16

27 April 2011

The Act

4.Scottish criminal law prohibits a person being placed in jeopardy of criminal prosecution twice for the same offence. This is commonly referred to as the rule against “double jeopardy” and provides an important protection for individuals. This Act builds upon the work of the Scottish Law Commission (SLC) in its December 2009 Report on Double Jeopardy(1). It contains a number of measures to reform and restate the rule against double jeopardy and also sets out certain exceptions to the rule.

1

Scot Law Com No. 218