27.This section provides that sections 1 to 3, which create the new offence and aggravation (together with section 4(4), which relates to prosecution of the offence) come into force 6 months after Royal Assent. The other provisions (including the main definitions) come into force the day after Royal Assent. The effect is that only behaviour taking place at least 6 months after Royal Assent could constitute an offence under section 1.
Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.
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