Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 3B-3D and cross-headings inserted (23.12.2015) by The Victims' Rights (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (S.S.I. 2015/444), regs. 1(2), 4
(1)The chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland must ensure that, as soon as reasonably practicable after a constable identifies a person who is or appears to be a victim in relation to an offence or alleged offence, a constable informs the person that the person may request, from any competent authority—
(a)a copy of the Victims’ Code for Scotland, and
(b)information relating to the rights of victims.
(2)Subsection (3) applies where a person who is or appears to be a victim in relation to an offence or alleged offence requests from a competent authority a copy of the Victims’ Code for Scotland.
(3)As soon as reasonably practicable after the request is made, the authority must—
(a)provide the person with a copy of the Code, or
(b)advise the person where a copy of the Code may be obtained.
(4)Subsection (5) applies where a person who is or appears to be a victim in relation to an offence or alleged offence requests from a competent authority information relating to the rights of victims.
(5)As soon as reasonably practicable after the request is made, the authority must—
(a)provide the person with such information held by, or accessible to, the authority which the authority considers relevant to the request, and
(b)provide the person with contact details for any other competent authority which the authority considers may hold or be able to access information relevant to the request.
(6)Where, by virtue of this section, a competent authority is to provide a person with a copy of the Victim’s Code for Scotland or information relating to the rights of victims, the authority may do so by such means as the authority considers appropriate having regard to the needs of the person.
(7)For the purposes of this section—
(a)a request made by a person who is or appears to be a victim in relation to an offence or alleged offence to a constable or a member of police staff is deemed to be a request made to the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland, and
(b)a request made by a person who is or appears to be a victim in relation to an offence or alleged offence to a procurator fiscal is deemed to be a request made to the Lord Advocate.]