Scottish Government

Circular No: JD/11/2003
CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SCOTLAND) ACT 2003: COMMENCEMENT ORDER NO.1 PROVISIONS

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Dear Sir/Madam

CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SCOTLAND) ACT 2003: COMMENCEMENT ORDER NO.1 PROVISIONS

1. The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 received Royal Assent on 26 March 2003. This circular contains basic information on the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 that are being brought into effect by the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (Commencement No 1) Order 2003, which comes into force 27 June 2003.
2. A Transitional and Savings Order to cover provisions relating to the release and licence conditions of prisoners and certificates relating to physical data have also been made along with a Drugs Courts Order which allows the Sheriff Principal in certain areas to designate a court as a Drugs Court.
3. The provisions set out in Annex A will come into force on 27 June 2003. A brief explanation of those provisions is provided at Annex B. Any further detailed guidance which is required on the workings of any provision will be issued by the lead Scottish Executive Division with a direct interest. The Scottish Court Service will be issuing internal guidance to supplement certain sections of this circular during the week commencing 16 June 2003.
4. Copies of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 and the orders mentioned above can be obtained from HMSO bookshops: www.hmso.gov.uk.
5. A copy of this circular can be found on the Scottish Executive website: www.scotland.gov.uk

Yours faithfully

CHRISTINE DORA