Legal news
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Judges change views on not proven, corroboration reform
Consultation response reveals majority now favour double abolition
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Majority favour two verdicts: Scots consultation report
Analysis finds preference for guilty/not guilty, and jury size still 15
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Criminal cases halved in COVID year 1: official figures
Statistics show 46% fall in cases coming to court in 2020-21
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Court figures show criminal case levels for 2021-22
Business roughly doubles on 2020-21 but remains below pre-COVID levels
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Remote jury centres begin to wind down
Jurors to return to courtrooms between July and September
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Victim protection the focus of new justice proposals
Consultation opens on reforms including anonymity and specialist courts
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Failure to note reasons did not vitiate short jail term
Sheriff’s approach justified for dangerous and drink driving in HGV
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Criminal court business pulls ahead during March
Most courts running above pre-COVID case numbers
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Courts revise COVID measures in line with law changes
Public access to court buildings allowed from next week
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Post-COVID justice reforms need more data, MSPs report
Stage 1 report calls for greater consensus before fundamental changes made
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Faculty holds to support for not proven verdict
Abolition would require new safeguards for accused persons
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Waiting times for trial revealed in SCTS monthly data
Case throughput rose during February but still below pre-COVID average
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Omicron effect on criminal courts continued in January
Scottish Courts monthly workbook shows most business below pre-COVID levels
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Fiscal's 1992 letter bars prosecution now: Appeal Court
Judges affirm 1976 Thom decision as good law
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Sentencing young people guideline applies from today
Court must assess maturity, with rehabilitation as top consideration
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Courts lift Omicron COVID restrictions
Less physical distancing and more in-person hearings from 31 January
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Omicron hits December criminal court business
Throughput below pre-COVID average levels in all courts
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Report calls for virtual summary domestic abuse courts
Lord Justice General and Victim Support back review proposals
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Appeal Court discourages arresting absent complainer
"Not a satisfactory solution" in sexual offence case
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Scottish courts tackle Omicron with new COVID measures
Increased physical distancing and reduced attendance planned
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November court data show COP26 effect
High Court business well ahead, but sheriff court figures hit
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COP26 impacts criminal case figures for October
Sheriff and JP court throughput dropped as conference approached
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Sentencing Council sets out next priorities
Three year business plan proposes focus on specific offence guidelines
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High Court approves young people sentencing guideline
Policy to encourage rehabilitation comes into effect on 26 January