Introduction

The Scottish Court Service is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Executive. Our main function is to support the judges and sheriffs in the Supreme and Sheriff Courts in Scotland. We provide staff who are properly trained to carry out the technical, administrative and organisational services necessary for the smooth running of the courts, while giving an efficient and courteous service to court users. We also provide and maintain courtrooms.

The Scottish Court Service recognises the important role which victims have in the criminal justice system. We are committed to treating victims with compassion and respect for their dignity, and to improving the services which we provide to victims, including bereaved next of kin.

We will work in partnership with our fellow criminal justice agencies, local authorities and related voluntary organisations in addressing victims’ needs.

This Action Plan sets out in practical terms how we intend to meet our commitment to supporting those victims of crime whose cases are dealt with in the Supreme or Sheriff Courts. It also sets out how we intend to achieve the principles of the Scottish Strategy for Victims insofar as they relate to the remit of the Scottish Court Service.

These principles are:

  • A recognition of the importance of the victim and the need to provide practical and emotional support to assist the victim to recover and towards prevention of further crime or secondary victimisation
  • A commitment to provide explanations for victims about the criminal justice and other processes with which they are involved
  • A recognition that victims have a legitimate interest in the cases with which they are involved and so have a contribution to make
  • A commitment to offer victims information on the progress of their cases
  • A recognition that victims should be enabled to have a voice throughout all stages of the criminal justice system

For the purposes of this Action Plan, a victim may be any person who has been the subject of any type of crime. In the event of the death of a victim of crime, or their incapacity in relation to criminal proceedings, the family or those sharing a family-like position may also be considered as victims.

Further, we recognise that when attending court, a victim may need the support and assistance of a family member, and in such circumstances we will extend our services to include the person accompanying the victim.

We recognise that some victims will also be witnesses; that some will be involved with the criminal justice system, some in civil court actions. The needs of all of these victims, irrespective of whether or not they are also witnesses will be taken into consideration.

It is the underlying premise of this Action Plan that all victims should be treated fairly and that consideration is given to their interests irrespective of their race, ethnic origin, age, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or any disability.