Part 7Children

53Provision by Principal Reporter of information to victims

(1)

Where the Principal Reporter has received information about a case in which it appears that an offence has been committed by a child, the Principal Reporter may provide any information about the case as is mentioned in subsection (2) to any person mentioned in subsection (3) if (and only if)—

(a)

the information is requested by the person; and

(b)

the Principal Reporter is satisfied that—

(i)

the provision of the information would not be detrimental to the best interests of the child concerned in, or any other child connected (in any way) with, the case; and

(ii)

it is appropriate in the circumstances of the case to provide the information.

(2)

The information is information as to—

(a)

what action the Principal Reporter has taken in the case; and

(b)

any disposal of the case,

in so far as the information relates to the offence.

(3)

The persons are—

(a)

any person against whom the offence appears to have been committed or, where that person is a child, any relevant person; and

(b)

any other person or class of persons, subject to such conditions, as may be prescribed.

(4)

In this section—

“child”means a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years;

“the Principal Reporter”has the same meaning as it has in Part II of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 36);

“relevant person”in relation to a child means—

(a)

any parent enjoying parental responsibilities or parental rights under Part I of that Act;

(b)

any person in whom parental responsibilities or rights are vested by, under or by virtue of that Act; and

(c)

any person who appears to be a person who ordinarily (and other than by reason only of that person’s employment) has charge of, or control over, the child.