The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to have a significant impact on the Scottish criminal justice system. COPFS is working closely with justice partners and with Scottish Government on measures which will support the fair and effective administration of justice whilst respecting the public health guidance which has been issued.
In the recent joint communication about improvements to the booking service used for PIDMs, it was explained that a further update would be issued when the testing exercise for appointments made by administrative staff had been completed. The testing concluded this week. The registration process was completed successfully for each individual nominated for the exercise. There are no known difficulties in making bookings and no negative feedback.
The Lord Advocate is required, along with the Chief Constable of Police Scotland, the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service, the Scottish Prison Service and the Parole Board for Scotland, to publish Standards of Service for victims and witnesses each year and to publish an annual report in relation to the fulfilment of those standards.
The Ayr Procurator Fiscal’s office located at Carrick Street, Ayr, will close permanently from 17 May 2021 and relocate to Kilmarnock.
Collaborative work between COPFS and the Law Society of Scotland has been carried out to further improve the pre-intermediate diet meeting (PIDM) process.
Scotland’s courts remain open during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown as the delivery of justice is identified as essential business. From 19 April there will be a cautious and incremental easing of the current restrictions in criminal courts, in line with public health advice.
Comments have been made about the Crown which are without foundation, and the public is entitled to hear the truth about these matters from me.
I am grateful for the opportunity to make a statement following the disposal, last week, of the actions brought against me by David Whitehouse and Paul Clark.
As explained in a letter dated 10 November 2020 to the convener of the Scottish Parliament Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints, the material held by the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in relation to the criminal investigation and prosecution of Alex Salmond, as in any case, was obtained and is held by COPFS for that sole purpose.
Scotland’s courts remain open during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown as the delivery of justice is identified as essential business, but the focus will be on the most serious and sensitive cases only at this time.
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