Prospective

Part 7 S Sexual Offences Court

Chapter 2 S Organisation of business

Rights of audience S

85 Rights of audience: review S

(1) The Scottish Ministers must, as soon as reasonably practicable following the expiry of the review period—

(a) carry out a review in relation to legal representation in the Sexual Offences Court including, in particular, in relation to—

(i) rights of audience,

(ii) legal representation of accused persons, and

(iii) the provision of legal aid to accused persons, including the granting of sanction for counsel,

(b) publish a report setting out the findings of the review, and

(c) lay a copy of the report before the Scottish Parliament.

(2) In carrying out the review, the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a) the Lord Justice General,

(b) the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service,

(c) the Scottish Legal Aid Board,

(d) the Law Society of Scotland,

(e) the Faculty of Advocates,

(f) such persons providing victim support services as the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.

(3) In this section, “review period” means the period of 5 years beginning with the day on which this Part comes fully into force.

Commencement Information

I1 S. 85 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 116(2)