Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975

253 Evidence in court or on commission

(1) The evidence of any witnesses ordered to be examined before the High Court or before any judge of the High Court or other person appointed by the High Court shall be taken in accordance with the existing law and practice as to the taking of evidence in criminal trials in Scotland. The appellant or applicant and the respondent or counsel on their behalf shall be entitled to be present at and take part in any examination of any witness to which this section relates.

(2) When an order of reference is made by the High Court under section 252(d) of this Act, the question to be referred and the person to whom as special commissioner the same shall be referred shall be specified in such order. The court may in such order, or by giving directions as and when they from time to time shall think right, specify whether the appellant or respondent or any person on their behalf may be present at any examination or investigation or at any stage thereof as may be ordered under the said section 252(d), and specify any and what powers of the court may be delegated to such special commissioner, and may require him from time to time to make interim reports to the court upon the question referred to him, and may, if the appellant is in custody, give leave to him to be present at any stage of such examination or investigation, and may give directions to the Clerk of Justiciary that any report made by such special commissioner shall be made available to the appellant and respondent or to counsel or agent on their behalf, and that they shall be entitled to have copies thereof made if they so desire.