33Consent to interview without solicitorS
(1)[F1Subsection (2) applies] for the purpose of section 32(3)(a).
(2)A person may not consent to being interviewed without having a solicitor present if—
(a)the person is under [F218] years of age
F3(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(c)the person is [F418] years of age or over and, owing to mental disorder, appears to a constable to be unable to—
(i)understand sufficiently what is happening, or
(ii)communicate effectively with the police.
F5(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F6(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F7(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6)In subsection (2)(c)—
(a)“mental disorder” has the meaning given by section 328 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003,
(b)the reference to the police is to any—
(i)constable, or
(ii)person appointed as a member of police staff under section 26(1) of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 33(1) substituted (30.3.2026) by Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 5), ss. 15(5)(a), 38(3); S.S.I. 2025/379, reg. 2(2)(c)
F2Word in s. 33(2)(a) substituted (30.3.2026) by Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 5), ss. 15(5)(b)(i), 38(3); S.S.I. 2025/379, reg. 2(2)(c)
F3S. 33(2)(b) repealed (30.3.2026) by Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 5), ss. 15(5)(b)(ii), 38(3); S.S.I. 2025/379, reg. 2(2)(c)
F4Word in s. 33(2)(c) substituted (30.3.2026) by Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 5), ss. 15(5)(b)(iii), 38(3); S.S.I. 2025/379, reg. 2(2)(c)
F5S. 33(3) repealed (30.3.2026) by Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 5), ss. 15(5)(c), 38(3); S.S.I. 2025/379, reg. 2(2)(c)
F6S. 33(4) repealed (30.3.2026) by Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 5), ss. 15(5)(c), 38(3); S.S.I. 2025/379, reg. 2(2)(c)
F7S. 33(5) repealed (30.3.2026) by Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 5), ss. 15(5)(c), 38(3); S.S.I. 2025/379, reg. 2(2)(c)
Commencement Information
I1S. 33 in force at 25.1.2018 by S.S.I. 2017/345, art. 3, sch. (with art. 4)