Evaluation of the Impact of Bail Reforms on Summary Justice Reform

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The researchers would like to thank all those who contributed to the evaluation.

This includes the Research Advisory Group, who played an active role in helping to shape data collection tools, and interpret the resulting data. Their help in proof reading the draft reports and providing suggestions for change is also much appreciated.

We also thank staff from the Strathclyde, Central and Lothian and Borders police forces, who took time to meet with us as part of the work, as well as Judges, Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, Procurators Fiscal and defence agents. The work would not have been possible without them.

We thank the Scottish Court Service (SCS), the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Scottish Government and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) for providing access to a range of statistical data for analysis as part of the evaluation, and SCS in particular for their advice on gaps in the data available.

A number of accused took part in the work and we thank them for providing a system end-user perspective which brought to life the impact of the reforms on those most directly affected.

A small number of victims also took part in the work, to whom we are especially grateful since they shared with us often personal and challenging experiences and sentiments.

Finally, the researchers would like to thank all staff from the Justice Analytical Services team at the Scottish Government who have overseen all stages of the work, and have actively contributed to the design of research materials and interpretation of data. Their support throughout the project was greatly appreciated.

Thank you.