Search Legislation

Advanced Search

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995

Help about what version

What Version

  • Latest available (Revised)
  • Original (As enacted)
Help about advanced features

Advanced Features

More Resources

Changes over time for: Cross Heading: Convention rights ... compatibility issues , devolution issues and UNCRC compatibility issues

Help about opening options

Changes to legislation:

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, Cross Heading: Convention rights ... compatibility issues , devolution issues and UNCRC compatibility issues is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 25 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to Part XIII Crossheading Devolution-issues:

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

[F1Convention rights F2... compatibility issues [F3, devolution issues and UNCRC compatibility issues]]S

Textual Amendments

F1Cross-heading substituted (22.4.2013) by Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 34(2), 44(5); S.I. 2013/6, art. 2(a)

[F4288ZARight of Advocate General to take part in proceedingsS

(1)The Advocate General for Scotland may take part as a party in criminal proceedings so far as they relate to a compatibility issue.

(2)In this section “compatibility issue” means a question, arising in criminal proceedings, as to—

(a)whether a public authority has acted (or proposes to act)—

(i)in a way which is made unlawful by section 6(1) of the Human Rights Act 1998, or

F5(ii). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)whether an Act of the Scottish Parliament or any provision of an Act of the Scottish Parliament is incompatible with any of the Convention rights F6...).

(3)In subsection (2)—

(a)“public authority” has the same meaning as in section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998;

(b)references to acting include failing to act;]

F7(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F4S. 288ZA inserted (22.4.2013) by Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 34(3), 44(5); S.I. 2013/6, art. 2(a)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F8288ZBReferences of compatibility issues to the High Court or Supreme CourtS

(1)Where a compatibility issue has arisen in criminal proceedings before a court, other than a court consisting of two or more judges of the High Court, the court may, instead of determining it, refer the issue to the High Court.

(2)The Lord Advocate or the Advocate General for Scotland, if a party to criminal proceedings before a court, other than a court consisting of two or more judges of the High Court, may require the court to refer to the High Court any compatibility issue which has arisen in the proceedings.

(3)The High Court may, instead of determining a compatibility issue referred to it under subsection (2), refer it to the Supreme Court.

(4)Where a compatibility issue has arisen in criminal proceedings before a court consisting of two or more judges of the High Court, otherwise than on a reference, the court may, instead of determining it, refer it to the Supreme Court.

(5)The Lord Advocate or the Advocate General for Scotland, if a party to criminal proceedings before a court consisting of two or more judges of the High Court, may require the court to refer to the Supreme Court any compatibility issue which has arisen in the proceedings otherwise than on a reference.

(6)On a reference to the Supreme Court under this section—

(a)the powers of the Supreme Court are exercisable only for the purpose of determining the compatibility issue;

(b)for that purpose the Court may make any change in the formulation of that issue that it thinks necessary in the interests of justice.

(7)When it has determined a compatibility issue on a reference under this section, the Supreme Court must remit the proceedings to the High Court.

(8)An issue referred to the High Court or the Supreme Court under this section is referred to it for determination.

(9)In this section “compatibility issue” has the meaning given by section 288ZA.]

Textual Amendments

F8S. 288ZB inserted (22.4.2013) by Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 35, 44(5); S.I. 2013/6, art. 2(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

288AF9 Rights of appeal for Advocate General: [F10compatibility issues and] devolution issues.S

(1)This section applies where—

(a)a person is acquitted or convicted of a charge (whether on indictment or in summary proceedings), and

(b)the Advocate General for Scotland was a party to the proceedings F11....

[F12(2)Where the Advocate General for Scotland was a party in pursuance of paragraph 6 of Schedule 6 to the Scotland Act 1998 (devolution issues), the Advocate General may refer to the High Court for their opinion any devolution issue which has arisen in the proceedings.

(2A)Where the Advocate General for Scotland was a party in pursuance of section 288ZA, the Advocate General may refer to the High Court for their opinion any compatibility issue (within the meaning of that section) which has arisen in the proceedings.

(2B)If a reference is made under subsection (2) or (2A) the Clerk of Justiciary shall send to the person acquitted or convicted and to any solicitor who acted for that person at the trial a copy of the reference and intimation of the date fixed by the Court for a hearing.]

(3)The person may, not later than seven days before the date so fixed, intimate in writing to the Clerk of Justiciary and to the Advocate General for Scotland either—

(a)that he elects to appear personally at the hearing, or

(b)that he elects to be represented by counsel at the hearing,

but, except by leave of the Court on cause shown, and without prejudice to his right to attend, he shall not appear or be represented at the hearing other than by and in conformity with an election under this subsection.

(4)Where there is no intimation under subsection (3)(b), the High Court shall appoint counsel to act at the hearing as amicus curiae.

(5)The costs of representation elected under subsection (3)(b) or of an appointment under subsection (4) shall, after being taxed by the Auditor of the Court of Session, be paid by the Advocate General for Scotland out of money provided by Parliament.

(6)The opinion on the point referred under subsection (2) [F13or (2A)] shall not affect the acquittal or (as the case may be) conviction in the trial.

Textual Amendments

F9Ss. 288A-288B and preceding cross-heading inserted (20.5.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8 para. 32(2) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2(2), Sch. 4

F10Words in s. 288A heading inserted (22.4.2013) by Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 34(5), 44(5); S.I. 2013/6, art. 2(a)

F11Words in s. 288A(1) omitted (22.4.2013) by virtue of Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 34(6), 44(5); S.I. 2013/6, art. 2(a)

F12S. 288A(2)-(2B) substituted for s. 288A(2) (22.4.2013) by Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 34(7), 44(5); S.I. 2013/6, art. 2(a)

F13Words in s. 288A(6) inserted (22.4.2013) by Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 34(8), 44(5); S.I. 2013/6, art. 2(a)

[F14288AAAppeals to the Supreme Court: compatibility issuesS

(1)For the purpose of determining any compatibility issue an appeal lies to the Supreme Court against a determination in criminal proceedings by a court of two or more judges of the High Court.

(2)On an appeal under this section—

(a)the powers of the Supreme Court are exercisable only for the purpose of determining the compatibility issue;

(b)for that purpose the Court may make any change in the formulation of that issue that it thinks necessary in the interests of justice.

(3)When it has determined the compatibility issue the Supreme Court must remit the proceedings to the High Court.

(4)In this section “compatibility issue” has the same meaning as in section 288ZA.

(5)An appeal under this section against a determination lies only with the permission of the High Court or, failing that permission, with the permission of the Supreme Court.

(6)Subsection (5) does not apply if it is an appeal by the Lord Advocate or the Advocate General for Scotland against a determination by the High Court of a compatibility issue referred to it under section 288ZB(2).

(7)An application to the High Court for permission under subsection (5) must be made—

(a)within 28 days of the date of the determination against which the appeal lies, or

(b)within such longer period as the High Court considers equitable having regard to all the circumstances.

(8)An application to the Supreme Court for permission under subsection (5) must be made—

(a)within 28 days of the date on which the High Court refused permission under that subsection, or

(b)within such longer period as the Supreme Court considers equitable having regard to all the circumstances.]

Textual Amendments

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

[F15288ABReferences of UNCRC compatibility issues to the High Court or Supreme CourtS

(1)In this section and section 288AC, “UNCRC compatibility issue” means a question, arising in criminal proceedings as to—

(a)whether words in an enactment to which section 29 or 30 of the UNCRC Incorporation Act applies give rise to an incompatibility with the UNCRC requirements,

(b)whether a public authority has acted (or proposed to act) in a way which is made unlawful by section 6(1) of the UNCRC Incorporation Act.

(2)In subsection (1)—

  • “public authority” has the same meaning as in section 6(5) of the UNCRC Incorporation Act,

  • “the UNCRC requirements” has the meaning given in section 1(2) of that Act,

  • “UNCRC Incorporation Act” means the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.

(3)Where a UNCRC compatibility issue has arisen in criminal proceedings before a court, other than a court consisting of 2 or more judges of the High Court, the court may, instead of determining it, refer the issue to the High Court.

(4)The Lord Advocate, if a party to criminal proceedings before a court, other than a court consisting of 2 or more judges of the High Court, may require the court to refer to the High Court any UNCRC compatibility issue which has arisen in the proceedings.

(5)The High Court may, instead of determining a UNCRC compatibility issue referred to it under subsection (4), refer it to the Supreme Court.

(6)Where a UNCRC compatibility issue has arisen in criminal proceedings before a court consisting of 2 or more judges of the High Court, otherwise than on a reference, the court may, instead of determining it, refer it to the Supreme Court.

(7)The Lord Advocate, if a party to criminal proceedings before a court consisting of 2 or more judges of the High Court, may require the court to refer to the Supreme Court any UNCRC compatibility issue which has arisen in the proceedings otherwise than on a reference.

(8)On a reference to the Supreme Court under this section—

(a)the powers of the Supreme Court are exercisable only for the purpose of determining the UNCRC compatibility issue,

(b)for that purpose the Court may make any change in the formulation of that issue that it thinks necessary in the interests of justice.

(9)When it has determined a compatibility issue on a reference under this section, the Supreme Court must remit the proceedings to the High Court.

(10)An issue referred to the High Court or the Supreme Court under this section is referred to it for determination.

Textual Amendments

288ACAppeals to the Supreme Court: UNCRC compatibility issuesS

(1)For the purpose of determining any UNCRC compatibility issue an appeal lies to the Supreme Court against a determination in criminal proceedings by a court of 2 or more judges of the High Court.

(2)On an appeal under this section—

(a)the powers of the Supreme Court are exercisable only for the purpose of determining the UNCRC compatibility issue,

(b)for that purpose the Court may make any change in the formulation of that issue that it thinks necessary in the interests of justice.

(3)When it has determined the UNCRC compatibility issue, the Supreme Court must remit the proceedings to the High Court.

(4)An appeal under this section against a determination lies only—

(a)with the permission of the High Court, or

(b)if the High Court has refused permission, with the permission of the Supreme Court.

(5)Subsection (4) does not apply if it is an appeal by the Lord Advocate against a determination by the High Court of a UNCRC compatibility issue referred to it under section 288AB(4).

(6)An application to the High Court for permission under subsection (4)(a) must be made—

(a)within 28 days of the date of the determination against which the appeal lies, or

(b)within such longer period as the High Court considers equitable having regard to all the circumstances.

(7)An application to the Supreme Court for permission under subsection (4)(b) must be made—

(a)within 28 days of the date on which the High Court refused permission under subsection (4)(b), or

(b)within such longer period as the Supreme Court considers equitable having regard to all the circumstances.]

Textual Amendments

F17288B [F16Appeals to the Supreme Court: general].S

(1)This section applies where the [F18Supreme Court] determines an appeal under [F19section 288AA [F20or 288AC] of this Act or] paragraph 13(a) of Schedule 6 to the Scotland Act 1998 against a determination F21... by the High Court in the ordinary course of proceedings.

(2)The determination of the appeal shall not affect any earlier acquittal or earlier quashing of any conviction in the proceedings.

(3)Subject to subsection (2) above, the High Court shall have the same powers in relation to the proceedings when remitted to it by the [F22Supreme Court] as it would have if it were considering the proceedings otherwise than as a trial court.

Textual Amendments

F16 S. 288B heading substituted (22.4.2013) by Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 36(8), 44(5); S.I. 2013/6, art. 2(c)

F17Ss. 288A-288B and preceding cross-heading inserted (20.5.1999) by 1998 c. 46, s. 125, Sch. 8 para. 32(2) (with s. 126(3)-(11)); S.I. 1998/3178, art. 2(2), Sch. 4

F18Words in s. 288B(1) and in sidenote substituted (1.10.2009) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 40, 148, Sch. 9 para. 86(a); S.I. 2009/1604, art. 2(d)

F19Words in s. 288B(1) inserted (22.4.2013) by Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 36(9)(a), 44(5); S.I. 2013/6, art. 2(c)

F21Words in s. 288B(1) omitted (22.4.2013) by virtue of Scotland Act 2012 (c. 11), ss. 36(9)(b), 44(5); S.I. 2013/6, art. 2(c)

[F23288BZAUNCRC compatibility issue in relation to decision to prosecute child: restriction on judicial remediesS

(1)This section applies where—

(a)by virtue of section 7(1)(b) of the UNCRC Incorporation Act, a UNCRC compatibility issue has arisen—

(i)in criminal proceedings brought against a person who is a child, or who was a child at the time the proceedings were brought,

(ii)otherwise than in connection with an appeal against conviction or an appeal against both conviction and sentence,

(b)in determining the UNCRC compatibility issue, a court finds that the prosecutor, by bringing criminal proceedings against the person, has acted in a way which is made unlawful by section 6(1) of the UNCRC Incorporation Act, and

(c)by reason only of the finding mentioned in paragraph (b), a court is considering—

(i)deserting the proceedings pro loco et tempore or simpliciter, or

(ii)dismissing the indictment or (as the case may be) the complaint or any part of it.

(2)Despite section 8(1) of the UNCRC Incorporation Act, a court—

(a)may not—

(i)desert the proceedings pro loco et tempore or simpliciter, except on the motion of the prosecutor, or

(ii)dismiss the indictment or (as the case may be) the complaint or any part of it, but

(b)must instead—

(i)give the prosecutor an opportunity to reconsider the bringing of criminal proceedings against the person in a way which is compatible with the UNCRC requirements,

(ii)adjourn or continue the proceedings to another diet to allow such reconsideration, and

(iii)following any such reconsideration, decide whether the bringing of criminal proceedings against the person is compatible with the UNCRC requirements.

(3)But a court is not required to act in accordance with subsection (2) if—

(a)it considers that there is no reasonable prospect of the bringing of criminal proceedings against the person being reconsidered in a way which is compatible with the UNCRC requirements,

(b)it considers that there are exceptional circumstances which justify not doing so, or

(c)it decides under subsection (2)(b)(iii) that the bringing of criminal proceedings against the person is incompatible with the UNCRC requirements.

(4)Subsection (5) applies where—

(a)the court adjourns or continues the proceedings in accordance with subsection (2)(b)(ii), or

(b)by virtue of subsection (3), the court decides to desert the proceedings pro loco et tempore.

(5)Before adjourning or continuing the proceedings or (as the case may be) deserting the proceedings pro loco et tempore, the court must give the prosecutor an opportunity—

(a)in solemn proceedings, to make an application under section 65(3) or (5) for an extension of any of the following periods which apply in respect of the proceedings—

(i)the periods of 11 months and 12 months mentioned in section 65(1), including those periods as extended under section 65(3), on appeal under section 65(8) or under section 74(4)(c),

(ii)the periods of 80 days, 110 days and 140 days mentioned in section 65(4), including those periods as extended under section 65(5) or on appeal under section 65(8),

(b)in summary proceedings in respect of which the period of 40 days mentioned in section 147(1) applies, to make an application under section 147(2) for an extension of that period, including that period as extended under section 147(2) or on appeal under section 147(3).

(6)For the purposes of subsection (1)(a)(i), the proceedings are taken to be brought—

(a)in solemn proceedings, on the date on which the indictment is served,

(b)in summary proceedings—

(i)in a case where a warrant to apprehend or cite the accused is granted, on the date on which the warrant is granted, or

(ii)in any other case, on the date on which the complaint is served.

(7)In this section—

  • “prosecutor” does not include a private prosecutor,

  • “the UNCRC requirements” has the meaning given in section 1(2) of the UNCRC Incorporation Act,

  • “UNCRC compatibility issue” means a question of the kind mentioned in section 288AB(1)(b),

  • “UNCRC Incorporation Act” means the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.]

Textual Amendments

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

You have chosen to open The Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act as a PDF

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open The Whole Act without Schedules as a PDF

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act

The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open the Whole Act without Schedules

The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

You have chosen to open Schedules only

The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.

Would you like to continue?

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.

Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

The data on this page is available in the alternative data formats listed: