Call for evidence issued on FAIs bill

Holyrood's Justice Committee has issued a call for evidence on the Scottish Government's Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc (Scotland) Bill, introduced earlier this month. (Click here for report.) 

The bill sets out to reform and modernise the law governing the holding of fatal accident inquiries in Scotland, implementing recommendations made in the 2009 review under Lord Cullen. Among other things, it extends the categories of death in which it is mandatory to hold an FAI, and permits discretionary FAIs into deaths of Scots abroad where the body is repatriated to Scotland.

The committee is particularly interested in hearing views on the following questions:

• whether the circumstances for mandatory FAIs provided for in the bill are sufficient;
• whether the circumstances provided for in the bill in respect of discretionary inquiries are appropriate;
• whether there are alternative approaches that should be considered;
• whether the provisions in relation to FAIs into deaths abroad are appropriate;
• whether the provisions in relation to pre-inquiry procedure are appropriate;
• what are the practical implications of the bill's provisions.

Convener Christine Grahame MSP commented: “All proposed legislation should be subject to careful and considered scrutiny, and that is especially important when it comes to issues of life and death.

“That is why we are asking for those with an interest in this subject to give us their views and to help ensure the committee is properly prepared ahead of the stage 1 process in May.”

Click here to view the call for evidence. Submissions are due by 5pm on 28 April 2015.