Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Act 2022: pardon eligibility - self-assessment guide

Introduction

1. The Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Act 2022 came into effect on 27 July 2022. A copy of the Act and explanatory notes are available separately.

2. The Act provides a pardon to certain people who were convicted of certain offences which were committed in Scotland between 12 March 1984 and 3 March 1985 and which were related to the Miners' Strike. The pardon is automatic, which means that there is no application scheme to obtain a pardon. This is because it is recognised that it will be very difficult now for people to provide documentary evidence of any criminal conviction linked to the strike, given the passage of time.

Purpose of this Guide

3. For the pardon to be as inclusive as possible, the Scottish Parliament agreed that self-assessment was the best way to assess eligibility. It is for you to decide whether or not you qualify for the pardon, based on the qualifying criteria set out below. If you meet the qualifying criteria for the pardon, then you are pardoned. This guide has been prepared by the Scottish Government to help you assess whether you qualify for the pardon.

4. The pardon also applies posthumously. The guide can also be used so that an assessment of eligibility for the pardon can be undertaken on behalf of a deceased person - for example by a family member or friend.

5. All examples given within this guide and annexes are entirely for illustrative purposes.

6. If you have any questions about the qualifying criteria, then please direct your enquiry by email to minersstrikepardon@gov.scot or in writing to: