Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Act 2025

1. Introduction

2. The Act

3. Crown Application

4. Interpretation

   1. Part 1: Criminal Justice Modernisation

      1. Section 1 – Electronic signatures and alternative methods of sending documents

         1. Inserted section 303C – Electronic signatures

         2. Inserted section 303D – Sending documents electronically and to a solicitor

         3. Inserted section 303E – Documents to which sections 303C and 303D apply

         4. Inserted section 303F – Interpretation of sections 303C to 303E

      2. Section 2 – Virtual attendance at court

         1. Inserted section 303G – Suspension of requirement for physical attendance in criminal trials

         2. Inserted section 303H – Suspension of requirement for physical attendance in criminal proceedings where only party is a public official

         3. Inserted section 303I – Directions under sections 303G and 303H

         4. Inserted section 303J – Suspension of requirement for physical attendance in other criminal hearings or proceedings

         5. Inserted Section 303K – Attending by electronic means

         6. Inserted section 303L – General directions under section 303K

         7. Inserted section 303M – Publication of guidance

      3. Section 3 – Review of virtual attendance provisions

      4. Section 4 – Transitional provisions and interpretation for sections 1 and 2

         1. Inserted section 303N – Transitional provisions

         2. Inserted section 303O – Interpretation of sections 303C to 303N

      5. Section 5 – Digital productions

         1. Inserted section 279B – Images of physical evidence

         2. Inserted section 279C – Guidance on use of images of physical evidence by prosecutors

      6. Section 6 – Authentication of electronic copy documents

      7. Section 7 – Body-worn video evidence

      8. Section 8 – Increase of fixed penalty limit

      9. Section 9 – National jurisdiction for custody cases in sheriff courts and JP courts

         1. Inserted section 5B – Jurisdiction for callings of custody cases in a sheriff court

         2. Inserted section 5C – Jurisdiction for cases in a sheriff court after failure to appear

         3. Inserted section 5D – Further provision about national jurisdiction of sheriff courts

         4. Inserted section 5E – Interpretation of sections 5B to 5D

         5. Inserted section 7A – Jurisdiction for callings of custody cases in a JP court

         6. Inserted section 7B – Jurisdiction for cases in a JP court after failure to appear

         7. Inserted section 7C – Further provision about national jurisdiction of JP courts

         8. Inserted section 7D – Interpretation of sections 7A to 7C

      10. Section 10 – Section 9: transitional provision

      11. Section 11 – Addition of charge to indictment

          1. Inserted section 70AA – Addition of charge to indictment

   2. Part 2: Domestic Homicide and Suicide Reviews

      1. Reviewable events

         1. Section 12 – Domestic homicide or suicide review

         2. Section 13 – Power to modify matters in relation to reviews

      2. Review infrastructure

         1. Section 14 – Review oversight committee

         2. Section 15 – Case review panels

         3. Section 16 – Committee and panels: further provision

      3. Notification of potentially reviewable deaths

         1. Section 17 – Notification of deaths

         2. Section 18 – Revocation of notification

      4. Sift stage

         1. Section 19 – Determination as to whether to hold a review

         2. Section 20 – Determination as to whether to expand the remit of a review

         3. Section 21 – Reconsideration of whether to hold a review

      5. Conduct of reviews

         1. Section 22 – Carrying out of review

         2. Section 23 – Lord Advocate’s power to order suspension or discontinuation of review proceedings

         3. Section 24 – Protocol in relation to interaction with criminal investigations etc.

         4. Section 25 – Duty on designated core participants to co-operate

         5. Section 26 – Provision of information

      6. Reporting

         1. Section 27 – Reports on case reviews: content and preparation

         2. Section 28 – Reports on case reviews: publication and sharing

         3. Section 29 – Requirement to respond to report recommendations

         4. Section 30 – Periodic reports

      7. Guidance

         1. Section 31 – Guidance by the Scottish Ministers

   3. Part 3: Final Provisions

      1. Section 32 – Regulation-making powers

      2. Section 33 – Ancillary provision

      3. Section 34 – Commencement

      4. Section 35 – Short title

   4. Schedule – Domestic Homicide Or Suicide Reviews: Public Appointments

      1. Paragraph 1 – Offices to which this schedule applies

      2. Paragraph 2 – Status

      3. Paragraph 3 – Criteria for appointment

      4. Paragraph 4 – Tenure

      5. Paragraph 5 – Early termination

      6. Paragraph 6 – Remuneration and allowances

      7. Paragraph 7 – Other terms and conditions

      8. Paragraph 8 – Validity of things done

      9. Paragraph 9 – Review oversight committee: appointment of temporary chair

5. Parliamentary History