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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:

  • The Rt. Hon. Lord Hamilton, the Lord Justice General (section 304(2)(a))
  • The Rt. Hon. Lord Gill, the Lord Justice Clerk (section 304(2)(a))
  • Mr David Shand, Acting Principal Clerk of Justiciary (section 304(2)(a))
  • The Rt. Hon. Lord Nimmo Smith (section 304(2)(b)
  • Sheriff Fiona Reith Q.C. (section 304(2)(c)(i))
  • Sheriff Douglas Allan (section 304(2)(c)(i))
  • Mr Graham Bell Q.C. (section 304(2)(c)(ii))
  • Mr David Burns Q.C. (section 304(2)(c)(ii))
  • Mr Peter Watson (section 304(2)(c)(iii))
  • Mr James Keegan (section 304(2)(c)(iii))
  • Mr David Lynn (section 304(2)(c)(iv))
  • Ms Phyllis Hands (section 304(2)(c)(v))
  • Mr Frank Mulholland (section 304(2)(d))
  • Mr John Logue (section 304(2)(d))
  • Prof. Fiona Raitt (section 304(2)(e))
  • Prof. Pamela Ferguson (section 304(2)(e))
  • Sheriff Nigel Morrison (section 304(2)(f))
  • Mr Frank Shannly (section 304(2)(f))
  • Mrs Wilma Dickson (section 304(2)(f)).

Minutes of Meetings

2006

2007

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.