Vulnerable Witnesses Act - section 9: report

This report meets obligations on Scottish Ministers by the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019 to publish a report evaluating the effectiveness of the Act at supporting witnesses to participate in the criminal justice system and to set out next steps for implementation.


Annex 4 – Three Month Evaluation Review Metrics

Data to be collated

Item No 1.: Total number of indictments registered

Applications

Item No 2.: Total number of VW applications for EBCs lodged.

Item No 3.: Total number of VW applications seeking EBC granted.

Item No 4.: Total number of VW applications seeking EBC refused.

Item No 5.: Total number of VW applications lodged pre service of indictment.

Item No 6.: Total number of VW applications seeking EBC (to which s271BZA applies) lodged.

Item No 7.: Total number of VW applications seeking EBC (to which s271BZA applies) granted.

Item No 8.: Total number of VW applications seeking EBC (to which s271BZA applies) refused.

Hearings

Item No 9A: Total number of EBC hearings scheduled.

Item No 9.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) scheduled.

Item No 10.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) (to which s271BZA applies) scheduled.

Item No 11.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) called.

Item No 12.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) (to which s271BZA applies) called.

Item No 13.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) completed.

Item No 14.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) (to which s271BZA applies) completed.

Item No 15.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) adjourned on the day of EBC before starting to take evidence.

Reasons collated by SCTS using 5 agreed categories as follows:

Categories of reasons:

1) Unavailability of a party

2) Disengagement of a witness

3) Guilty plea

4) Case deserted

5) Equipment/Venue Issue

6) Other

Item No 16.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) (to which s271BZA applies) adjourned on the day of EBC before starting to take evidence.

Reasons collated by SCTS using 5 agreed categories as follows:

Categories of reasons:

1) Unavailability of a party

2) Disengagement of a witness

3) Guilty plea

4) Case deserted

5) Equipment/Venue Issue

6) Other (lack of time)

Item No 17.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) adjourned on the day of EBC after starting to take evidence.

Reasons collated by SCTS using 5 agreed categories as follows:

Categories of reasons:

1) Unavailability of a party

2) Disengagement of a witness

3) Guilty plea

4) Case deserted

5) Equipment/Venue Issue

6) Part heard due to inaccurate estimate

7) Other

Item No 18.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) (to which s271BZA applies) adjourned on the day of EBC after starting to take evidence.

Reasons collated by SCTS using 5 agreed categories as follows:

Categories of reasons:

1) Unavailability of a party

2) Disengagement of a witness

3) Guilty plea

4) Case deserted

5) Equipment/Venue Issue

6) Part heard due to inaccurate estimate

7) Other

Item No 19.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) dispensed with/cancelled before day of EBC

Reasons collated by SCTS using 5 agreed categories as follows:

Categories of reasons:

1) Unavailability of a party

2) Disengagement of a witness

3) Guilty plea

4) Case deserted

5) Equipment/Venue Issue

6) Other

Item No 20.: Total number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) dispensed with/cancelled before day of EBC (to which s271BZA applies).

Reasons collated by SCTS using 5 agreed categories as follows:

1) Categories of reasons: Unavailability of a party

2) Disengagement of a witness

3) Guilty plea

4) Case deserted

5) Equipment/Venue Issue

6) Other

Venues

Item No 21.: Number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) taking place in a designated venue i.e. Glasgow, Inverness Justice Centre, Edinburgh High Court, Aberdeen High Court.

Item No 22.: Number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) (to which s271BZA applies) taking place in a designated venue i.e. Glasgow, Inverness Justice Centre, Edinburgh High Court, Aberdeen High Court.

Item No 23.: Number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) taking place in another venue e.g. a court building which is not one of the 4 designated EBC suites narrated above. E.g. a court room

Item No 24.: Number of EBC hearings (i.e. witnesses) (to which s271BZA applies) taking place in another venue e.g. a court building which is not one of the 4 designated EBC suites narrated above. E.g. a sheriff court

Contact

Email: prerecordedevidence@gov.scot

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