| Publication date | Publication title | Recommendation | Reviewed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd March 2026 | Citing witnesses in the sheriff court | 6. COPFS and Police Scotland should ensure that all relevant staff have a comprehensive understanding of the citation process, including the role of each organisation, the operating context and the impact of unsuccessful citation on the criminal justice system. This should include mandatory training as part of the induction process, and ongoing awareness training. |
Open | |
| 3rd March 2026 | Citing witnesses in the sheriff court | 7. COPFS should: (a) ensure that guidance on all parts of the citation process in summary, and sheriff and jury cases, are connected and reflect business rules in full; (b) introduce an effective way of communicating changes to policy and guidance in the Local Court Business Process Handbook to staff; and (c) ensure that all relevant staff are actively following the Local Court Business Process Handbook. Regular compliance monitoring must take place. |
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| 3rd March 2026 | Citing witnesses in the sheriff court | 8. COPFS should review and update the ‘Lord Advocate’s guidelines to chief constables on the citation of witnesses’ and this should include the consequence of the removal of intermediate diets and the use by police officers of the Legal Document Database. Both COPFS and Police Scotland should ensure that staff are aware of the guidelines and their content. |
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| 3rd March 2026 | Citing witnesses in the sheriff court | 9. COPFS and Police Scotland should provide information on the citation process on their websites. |
Open | |
| 3rd March 2026 | Citing witnesses in the sheriff court | 10. COPFS should develop training on the citation of witnesses for administrative staff, to ensure consistency of practice. All relevant staff should undertake this training as soon as practicable. |
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| 3rd March 2026 | Citing witnesses in the sheriff court | 11. Police Scotland should ensure that training in all elements of the citation process is up-to-date, delivered and refreshed at appropriate times, and in the most suitable format. |
Open | |
| 3rd March 2026 | Citing witnesses in the sheriff court | 12. Police Scotland and COPFS should consider a method whereby witnesses who are giving statements to police officers are also advised that they may be required to give evidence in court. |
Open | |
| 3rd March 2026 | Citing witnesses in the sheriff court | 13. Police Scotland should ensure that the Standard Prosecution Report contains information regarding: witness availability and contact details (including email addresses and phone numbers); and details about which police officers seized productions. |
Open |
Results: 377 found