Version Superseded: 20/05/1999
Point in time view as at 01/08/1997.
Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, Cross Heading: Lord Advocate is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 04 March 2025. 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.
(1)All indictments which have been raised by a Lord Advocate shall remain effective notwithstanding his subsequently having died or demitted office and may be taken up and proceeded with by his successor.
(2)During any period when the office of Lord Advocate is vacant it shall be lawful to indict accused persons in name of the Solicitor General then in office.
(3)The advocates depute shall not demit office when a Lord Advocate dies or demits office but shall continue in office until their successors receive commissions.
(4)The advocates depute and procurators fiscal shall have power, notwithstanding any vacancy in the office of Lord Advocate, to take up and proceed with any indictment which—
(a)by virtue of subsection (1) above, remains effective; or
(b)by virtue of subsection (2) above, is in the name of the Solicitor General.
(5)For the purposes of this Act, where, but for this subsection, demission of office by one Law Officer would result in the offices of both being vacant, he or, where both demit office on the same day, the person demitting the office of Lord Advocate shall be deemed to continue in office until the warrant of appointment of the person succeeding to the office of Lord Advocate is granted.
(6)The Lord Advocate shall enter upon the duties of his office immediately upon the grant of his warrant of appointment; and he shall as soon as is practicable thereafter take the oaths of office before the Secretary of State or any Lord Commissioner of Justiciary.
(1)In any proceeding in the High Court (other than a proceeding to which the Lord Advocate or a procurator fiscal is a party) it shall be competent for the court to order intimation of such proceeding to the Lord Advocate.
(2)On intimation being made to the Lord Advocate under subsection (1) above, the Lord Advocate shall be entitled to appear and be heard in such proceeding.
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