The Victim Contact Team, Victim Notification Scheme and Victim, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill: FOI release

Information requested

Information on the legislation which will underpin the creation of a Victim Contact Team, in relation to the Victim Notification Scheme, will be included in the Victim, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill:

a. What are the expected/estimated costs of establishing this team?

b. What are the expected/estimated costs of running this team?

c. Does it add any additional costs to the financial memorandum of the Victim, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill?

d. How many people are expected to be involved in the team?

e. When and how quickly will a victim be referred to the team?

Response

I enclose a response below to the questions you asked.

• What are the expected/estimated costs of establishing this team?

We envisage there will be one-off costs associated with implementation however, they will depend on the delivery model and the impact of VNS reform on uptake and, as such, will require further consideration. We are unable to confirm the costs of establishing the Victim Contact Team at this time.

• What are the expected/estimated costs of running this team?

We are unable to confirm the costs of running the Victim Contact Team at this time. We will explore one-off and ongoing running costs as part of our discussions with partners and stakeholders as we work to establish and implement the Victim Contact Team.

• Does it add any additional costs to the financial memorandum of the Victim, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill?

Where amendments have been made at Stage 2 or, following Stage 2, where new/updated financial information becomes available that substantially alters the cost implications of the Bill as described in the original Financial Memorandum, a revised or supplementary Financial Memorandum providing the information required will be provided.

• How many people are expected to be involved in the team?

The Victim Contact Team will require a variety of roles and we are not able to confirm the number of people expected to be involved in the team at this time. We will give further consideration to this as the Victim Contact Team is established and implemented.

• When and how quickly will a victim be referred to the team?

Establishing the victim contact team requires changes to primary legislation and administrative change. We intend to use the VWJR Bill to deliver the required changes to primary legislation, which will enable the victim contact team to function properly. Administrative changes will be taken forward in tandem.

About FOI

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