This Act of Adjournal amends the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and the Criminal Procedure Rules 1996.

Paragraph 2(2) amends section 148(5)(b) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 to provide that the accused may be excused attendance at an intermediate diet on cause shown.

Paragraph 3(2) amends the Criminal Procedure Rules 1996 so as to give effect, in part, to Directive 2010/64/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20th October 2010 on the right to interpretation and translation in criminal proceedings. The Act of Adjournal implements the Directive insofar as it relates to proceedings for the execution of a European arrest warrant.

The instrument inserts a new chapter 34A into the 1996 Rules. This requires provision, in certain circumstances, of interpretation and translation assistance for persons who are the subject of proceedings for the execution of a European arrest warrant.