http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2025/12/part/2Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025Statute Law Database2026-08-27Expert Participation2026-09-01
Part 2Trauma-informed practicePrinciple of trauma-informed practicePrinciple of trauma-informed practice261The 2014 Act is amended as follows.2In section 1 (general principles)—ain subsection (3), after paragraph (c) insert—cathat, during and after the investigation and proceedings, a victim or witness should be treated in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice,,bafter subsection (3) insert—3AFor the purposes of this section, “trauma-informed practice” has the meaning given by section 114 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025..3In section 2 (standards of service)—ain subsection (1), after paragraph (a) insert—aathe carrying out of those functions in relation to such a person in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice,,bafter subsection (4) insert—4AEach person mentioned in subsection (2) must set and publish revised standards within the period of 18 months beginning on the day on which section 26 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 comes into force.4BSubsections (1) to (4) apply to the revised standards as they apply to the original standards.,cin subsection (6), after the definitions of “prison” and “young offenders institution” insert—“trauma-informed practice” has the meaning given by section 114 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025,.Conduct of proceedings in accordance with trauma-informed practiceCriminal courts: conduct of proceedings271The Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 (“the 1995 Act”) is amended as follows.2In section 305 (Acts of Adjournal), after subsection (1A) insert—1BSubsection (1) also extends to making provision by Act of Adjournal for the purpose of ensuring that criminal proceedings are conducted in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice..3In section 307 (interpretation), after the definition of “training school order” insert—“trauma-informed practice” has the meaning given by section 114 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025..Civil courts: conduct of proceedings281The Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 is amended as follows.2In section 103 (power to regulate procedure etc. in the Court of Session), in subsection (2), after paragraph (c) insert—caensuring that such proceedings are conducted in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice,.3In section 104 (power to regulate procedure etc. in the sheriff court and the Sheriff Appeal Court), in subsection (2), after paragraph (c) insert—caensuring that such proceedings are conducted in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice,.4In section 136 (interpretation), after the definition of “solicitor” insert—“trauma-informed practice” has the meaning given by section 114 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025..Fatal accident inquiries: conduct of proceedings291The Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Act 2016 is amended as follows.2In section 36 (power to regulate procedure etc.)—ain subsection (2), after paragraph (b) insert—baensuring inquiry proceedings are conducted in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice,,bafter subsection (5) insert—5AFor the purposes of this section, “trauma-informed practice” has the meaning given by section 114 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025..Duty to have regard to principle of trauma-informed practiceScheduling of business in Scottish courts301The Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 is amended as follows.2In section 2 (head of the Scottish Judiciary)—aafter subsection (2) insert—2ZAIn carrying out the responsibility mentioned in subsection (2)(a), the Lord President must have regard to the desirability of doing so in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice.,bafter subsection (6) insert—6AFor the purposes of this section, “trauma-informed practice” has the meaning given by section 114 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025..Scheduling of business in sheriff courts and the Sheriff Appeal Court311The Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 is amended as follows.2In section 27 (sheriff principal’s responsibility for efficient disposal of business in sheriff courts), after subsection (3) insert—3AIn carrying out the responsibility imposed by subsection (1), the sheriff principal must have regard to the desirability of doing so in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice..3In section 29 (Lord President’s power to exercise functions under sections 27 and 28), in subsection (1), after paragraph (a) insert—aais prejudicial to the carrying out of the responsibility imposed by section 27(1) in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice,.4In section 56 (President’s responsibility for efficient disposal of business), after subsection (3) insert—3AIn carrying out the responsibility imposed by subsection (1), the President must have regard to the desirability of doing so in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice..Scheduling of business in justice of the peace courts321The Criminal Proceedings etc. (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2007 is amended as follows.2In section 61 (efficient disposal of business in justice of the peace courts)—aafter subsection (1) insert—1AIn carrying out the responsibility imposed by subsection (1), the sheriff principal must have regard to the desirability of doing so in a way that accords with trauma-informed practice.,bafter subsection (4) insert—5For the purposes of this section, “trauma-informed practice” has the meaning given by section 114 of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025..S. 26 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 116(2)S. 27 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 116(2)S. 28 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 116(2)S. 29 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 116(2)S. 30 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 116(2)S. 31 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 116(2)S. 32 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 116(2)