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Criminal Courts Rules Council

Statutory basis
The Criminal Courts Rules Council was established under section 304 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.

Functions
The functions of the Council are—

  • to keep under general review the procedures and practices of the courts exercising criminal jurisdiction in Scotland;
  • to consider and comment on any draft Act of Adjournal submitted to it by the High Court.

Members
The criteria for membership of the Council are set out in sections 304(2) and (3) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. The Lord Justice General, the Lord Justice Clerk and the Clerk of Justiciary hold office ex officio.The other members of the Council are appointed by the Lord Justice General under section 304(2)(b) to (f). A further member is appointed by the Scottish Ministers under section 304(2)(f). Members, other than ex officio members, hold office for three years and are eligible for reappointment provided that they retain the qualifications for membership.

Current members
The current members of the Council are:

  • Lord Justice General (Chair)
  • Lord Justice Clerk
  • Lord Matthews
  • Sheriff Frank Crowe
  • Sheriff Nigel Morrison, Q.C.
  • Sheriff Fiona Reith, Q.C.
  • James Chalmers, Edinburgh University
  • Ian Fleming, Solicitor
  • Jamie Gilchrist, Q.C.
  • James Keegan, Solicitor
  • David Kemp, Sheriffdom Legal Adviser
  • John Logue, Crown Office
  • Roma Menlowe, Scottish Government
  • Morag McLaughlin, Procurator Fiscal Service
  • Gillian Prentice, DPCJ
  • David Shand, Scottish Court Service
  • Professor Fiona Raitt, University of Dundee
  • Graeme Marwick, Principal Clerk of Session and Justiciary

Minutes of Meetings

2008

2007

2006

Contact Information
Any suggestions for changes to the Criminal Procedure Rules should be directed to:

The Lord President’s Private Office,
Parliament House,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1RQ.