Criminal Proceedings etc. (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2007

Type Act of the Scottish Parliament
Publication 2007-02-22
Last updated 2026-02-26
State In force
Jurisdiction Scotland
Department Statute Law Database
articles Not indexed
Reform history JSON API

[^key-032da35687e13da733bbf45fcabee4e0]: Words in s. 59(2) inserted (1.4.2015) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), ss. 127(2), 138(2); S.S.I. 2015/77, art. 2(2)(3), sch.

[^key-1b2348146e85aefa944f3020009af225]: Words in s. 59(6) inserted (1.4.2015) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), ss. 127(2), 138(2); S.S.I. 2015/77, art. 2(2)(3), sch.

[^key-fb2a7573f24fd96918042bf084b05ff7]: Words in s. 81(3)(a) inserted (1.4.2015) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), ss. 127(4), 138(2); S.S.I. 2015/77, art. 2(2)(3), sch.

[^key-c5f10c004b1742565b02b7382f577d6a]: Words in s. 61(3)(a) substituted (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(2); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-af52354e83fbeac21b01c96d804e80fb]: Words in s. 62(4) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(3)(a); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-1ac280974746b0df94f56283c5b8bae4]: Words in s. 62(5) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(3)(a); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-770885a10be6559bc82bc61580b6becc]: Words in s. 62(6) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(3)(a); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-4143668493418b48540354a632207c64]: Words in s. 62(7) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(3)(a); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-f4389e226ed1e558bec0d3a4d65356be]: Words in s. 62(4) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(3)(b); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-1c763483ef15f535aa79e71051806d91]: Words in s. 62(7)(a) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(3)(c); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-1e67f4205752e9ecf1a3ffd6c5ab5c54]: Words in s. 63(2) substituted (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(4); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-9657a7ccf3d48db8ccde962aca4f4d2f]: Words in s. 63(5)(a) substituted (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(4); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-dd9f523b4dde632fca3a5194e061ddd1]: S. 74 repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(5)(a); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-b4adfc1c54f36054f088c5b99677d687]: S. 74A repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(5)(b); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-c07abab58ddffe955108bbbdea21f6d6]: S. 75 repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(5)(c); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-0fe2afe24f3e26592d5f8139fc369df2]: Words in s. 76(1) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(6)(a); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-3e3ac5498092807818c0872a8253d1c6]: Words in s. 76(5) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(6)(b); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-f9f1225021248c39619651c4a8daa045]: Words in s. 77(2) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(7)(b); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-e958cbb7588d02c1911e0cab28482dad]: S. 77(5) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(7)(c); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-7736fbf028badbf7f0d1d8eea35e5a08]: Words in s. 77(1)(a) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(7)(a); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-16c2c0e7243b39f5ee6969e5d64e8c17]: Words in s. 77(1)(b)(ii) repealed (1.4.2016) by Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), s. 138(2), sch. 5 para. 40(7)(a); S.S.I. 2016/13, art. 2, sch.

[^key-cdca4f56bc7e474e6fa261a054cfe2fd]: Word in s. 73(2)(b) substituted (30.11.2016) by Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 (asp 21), s. 237(2), sch. 8 para. 25 (with ss. 232, 234(3), 235, 236); S.S.I. 2016/294, reg. 2

[^key-6c97cc48e6b57bf8782a0cf437221f5b]: Words in s. 68(4) substituted (1.4.2018) by The Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (Consequential and Supplemental Provisions) Order 2018 (S.S.I. 2018/93), arts. 1, 3

[^key-ef388b4ecea09b280388b92cefe4dd3f]: S. 56 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Criminal Justice (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/339), regs. 1(3), 4(2)

[^key-9db7b665800190ee018707b2cd3ea484]: Word in s. 81(3)(a) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Criminal Justice (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Amendment etc.) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/339), regs. 1(3), 4(3)

[^key-c8617a3771afd122dc43873eef50cb03]: S. 63 applied (26.2.2026) by 1995 c. 46, s. 7D(2) (as inserted by Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Act 2025 (asp 14), ss. 9(3), 34(4); S.S.I. 2026/85, reg. 2(1)(2), sch.)

[^key-7ae1b8cfdd9d4dd96291ad2352702b32]: S. 61 applied (26.2.2026) by 1995 c. 46, s. 7D(2) (as inserted by Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Act 2025 (asp 14), ss. 9(3), 34(4); S.S.I. 2026/85, reg. 2(1)(2), sch.)

[^key-890b762c0c5de159adbe2ff151771371]: Words in s. 62(3) inserted (26.2.2026) by Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Domestic Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Act 2025 (asp 14), ss. 9(4), 34(4); S.S.I. 2026/85, reg. 2(1)(2), sch.

Re-employment of former JPs: further provision

Restriction of liberty orders

Establishing JP courts

Area and territorial jurisdiction of JP courts

The Inspector's functions

Interpretation

Commencement and short title

Commencement and short title

Disqualification where sequestration or bankruptcy

Exercise of functions by stipendiary magistrates

Disqualification of solicitors who are JPs

Disqualification where sequestration or bankruptcy

Records and validity of appointment etc.

Modification of enactments

Orders

Commencement and short title

Ancillary provision

Commencement and short title

Conditions of office

Removal of JPs

Disqualification of solicitors who are JPs

Records and validity of appointment etc.

Ancillary provision

The Inspector's functions

Modification of enactments

Interpretation

Commencement and short title

Records and validity of appointment etc.

Orders

Interpretation

Interpretation

Conditions of office

Commencement and short title

Disqualification of solicitors who are JPs

Appointment of Inspector

The Inspector's functions

Interpretation

Manner of citation

Procedure at first calling

Intimation of diets etc.

Pre-trial time limits

Disclosure of convictions

Complaints triable together

Proceedings in absence of accused

Obstructive witnesses

Prosecution of companies etc.

Intermediate diets

Notice of defences

Proof of uncontroversial matters

Service of documents through solicitor etc.

Transfer of proceedings

Reports about supervised persons

Summary appeal time limit

Pre-trial time limits

Obstructive witnesses

Proceedings against bodies corporate

Jury citation

Duty to seek agreement of evidence

Petition proceedings outwith sheriffdom

Failure of accused to appear

Participation in identification procedures

Victim notification scheme

Recovery of documents

Intimation of certain applications to the High Court

Refixing diets

Power of court to excuse procedural irregularities

Electronic proceedings

Further provision for summary cases

Common law offences

Other statutory offences

JP court: power to increase penalties

Prescribed sum

Compensation orders

Work orders

Disclosure of previous offers

Time bar where offer made

Time bar where offer made

Fines enforcement officers and their functions

Establishing JP courts

Establishing JP courts

Abolition of district courts

Making provision for JP courts

Constitution and powers etc. of JP courts

Abolition of district courts

Transfer of staff and property

Transitional arrangements for proceedings

Transitional arrangements for proceedings

Appointment of JPs

Reappointment of JPs

Disqualification where sequestration or bankruptcy

Disqualification of solicitors who are JPs

Signing functions

Exercise of functions by stipendiary magistrates

Records and validity of appointment etc.

Common law offences

Particular statutory offences

Other statutory offences

JP court: power to increase penalties

Prescribed sum

Compensation orders

Fixed penalty and compensation offers

Work orders

Setting aside of offers and orders

Fines enforcement officers and their functions

Efficient disposal of business in JP courts

Constitution and powers etc. of JP courts

Abolition of district courts

Transfer of staff and property

Transitional arrangements for proceedings

Re-employment of former JPs

Appointment of stipendiary magistrates

Appointment of Inspector

The Inspector's functions

71A
  • (1) A sheriff principal of a sheriffdom may appoint a qualifying former JP to act as a JP of the sheriffdom.
  • (2) An individual appointed to act as mentioned in subsection (1) may so act only during such periods or on such occasions as the sheriff principal may determine.
  • (3) A sheriff principal may make an appointment under subsection (1) only if it appears to the sheriff principal to be expedient as a temporary measure in order to facilitate the efficient disposal of business in the JP courts of the sheriffdom.
  • (4) A “qualifying former JP” is an individual who—
  • (a) ceased to hold that office other than—
  • (i) by virtue of an order under section 71,
  • (ii) by virtue of not being reappointed to the office on the ground mentioned in section 70(2)(d),
  • (b) has not reached the age of 75, and
  • (c) is not disqualified under section 73.
71B
  • (1) Subject to subsection (3), an individual’s appointment under section 71A lasts until the sheriff principal by whom the individual was appointed (or a successor to that sheriff principal) recalls the individual’s appointment.
  • (2) An individual appointed under section 71A(1) to act as a JP of a sheriffdom may exercise in the sheriffdom the jurisdiction and powers that attach to the office of JP.
  • (3) An individual’s appointment under section 71A(1) ceases when that individual reaches the age of 75.
  • (4) Despite the ending (whether by virtue of subsection (3) or otherwise) of an individual’s appointment under section 71A(1)—
  • (a) the individual may continue to deal with, give judgment in or deal with an ancillary matter relating to, a case begun before the individual while acting under that appointment,
  • (b) so far as is necessary for that purpose, and for the purpose of any subsequent proceedings arising out of the case or the matter, the individual is to be treated as acting, or as the case may be, having acted under that appointment.
  • (5) The Scottish Court Service may pay to a former JP appointed under section 71A(1) such allowances as the Scottish Ministers may determine.

Conditions of office

Removal of JPs

Appointment of stipendiary magistrates

Ancillary provision

Commencement and short title

Area and territorial jurisdiction of JP courts

Transfer of staff and property

Transitional arrangements for proceedings

Appointment of JPs

Ancillary provision

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