Minutes: 11 January 2023

1. Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Stage 1 from—

Kate Wallace, Chief Executive Officer, Victim Support Scotland;

Emma Bryson, Speak Out Survivors;

and then from—

Dr Hannah Graham, Senior Lecturer, Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Stirling;

Professor Fergus McNeill, Professor of Criminology and Social Work, University of Glasgow;

Professor Lesley McAra, Professor of Penology, Edinburgh Law School, University of Edinburgh.

Fulton MacGregor indicated that he is a former criminal justice social worker.

2. Public Order Bill (UK Parliament legislation):

The Committee considered the legislative consent memorandum lodged by Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans (LCM(S6)30). The Committee agreed that the Scottish Parliament should give its consent to the relevant provisions in the Public Order Bill as set out in the Scottish Government’s draft motion.

3. Priorities in the Justice Sector and an Action Plan:

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of progress made on implementing the recommendations in the Committee’s report on the priorities for the criminal justice sector in Scotland to a future meeting.

4. Virtual trials and charges for court transcripts:

The Committee considered correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans. On the issue of virtual trials, the Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, the Lord Justice Clerk and the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans. The Committee also agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans regarding charges for court transcripts.

5. Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the evidence heard to a future meeting.