Introduction News & Events Programme Papers

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High Court Reform Programme: Progress so far

11 December 2002

• Lord Bonomy's Report is published for consultation. The Report entitled "Improving Practice: 2002 Review of the Practices and the Procedures of the High Court of Justiciary" comprises a comprehensive review of the High Court, carried out at the request of the Scottish Government.
• A four-month consultation period is launched simultaneously, to end in mid April 2003.

19 June 2003

• On the basis of Lord Bonomy's recomendations and the subsequent consultation, the Executive published a White Paper"Modernising Justice in Scotland: The reform of the High Court of Justiciary". The Executive's approach for the most part reflects Lord Bonomy's recommendations.

15 July 2003

• Publication of the Consultation responses entitled "Improving Practice: A Summary of Responses to the Consultation on the 2002 Review of the Practices and Procedure of the High Court of Justiciary"

7 October 2003

• Following on from the White Paper, a bill is introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

  "The Criminal Procedure (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill" amends the "Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995". It is intended to introduce greater certainty into High Court of Justiciary (the High Court) proceedings, helping to develop a more managed system with emphasis on better communication between prosecution and defence and earlier preparation by both parties.

19 February 2004

• The Justice 1 Committee of the Scottish Parliament produces its "Stage 1 Report on the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill."

  The full text of the Committee's report is available on the Parliament web site [www.scottish.parliament.uk]. The Report is presented in the following two volumes:

  • Volume 1: Report [Scottish Parliament web site]
  • Volume 2: Evidence [Scottish Parliament web site]

25 February 2004 - 28 April 2004

• Stage 1 debate: The Parliament debated the principles of the Bill on 25th February 2004. The principles of the Bill were approved by 112 votes to 0.
  
  The official record of the debate is available from the Parliament web site.
• Stage 2 debate: The Justice 1 Committee met on 10th, 17th and 24th March to scrutinise and amend the detail of the Bill. The proceedings of these meetings are also available on the Parliament web site.
  
  

  Meeting	Document Links
  10th March 2004 9th Meeting	Papers [PDF]
  	Official Report
  	Minutes
  17th March 2004 11th Meeting	Papers [PDF]
  	Official Report
  	Minutes
  24th March 2004 12th Meeting	Papers [PDF]
  	Official Report
  	Minutes

• Stage 3 debate: The Parliament scrutinised the Bill as amended on 28th April. Following a short Stage 3 debate the Bill was approved by 112 vote to 0.
  
  The official record of the debate is available from the Parliament web site.