Members of the Scottish Court Service ( SCS) have been helpful and accommodating throughout this research. Staff at the study sheriff courts, and at the High Court Justiciary Office in Edinburgh made available their records, office space, time and expertise. We especially thank the sheriff clerks and staff at each study court including the High Court, where Nicola Merchant and Gaynor Shaw arranged to keep records of special measures applications for the research, and explained information systems.
We also thank the 74 busy professionals working at the heart of the justice system in Scotland who shared their time and experiences. As chapter 5 shows, the in-depth information they provided contributed greatly to the research. Thanks are also due to all agencies represented in the interview study for facilitating approaches to professionals in their organisations.
A major part of the research was seeking to speak to vulnerable witnesses. We are very grateful to members of the Witness Service ( WS) at the study courts and to those working in several other courts who agreed to refer witnesses to the research, especially to Jane Boslem and her colleagues at Glasgow sheriff court who provided the majority of our initial contacts with witnesses.
Our Research Advisory Group members (listed in annex 4) provided much advice particularly in the early stages of the research and relating to data and records kept within the Scottish justice system. We are particularly grateful to Ian Clark of SCS, Frank Russell of WS, and the several Crown Office representatives for their assistance with this aspect of the work. Our Scottish Executive ( SE) research manager, Mark Connelly, provided practical help, support and encouragement throughout the evaluation period. The report benefited from the comments of an anonymous peer reviewer, whom we thank. Dr Gill Highet of the University of Edinburgh acted as our specialist child interviewer and also developed the leaflet for young witnesses and advised generally on this aspect of the research.
Most of all, we thank the people who told us about their experiences of being a witness, often recalling difficult times; these young and adult witnesses gave us invaluable information and we are indebted to them.
ABE | Achieving Best Evidence (guidance in England and Wales) |
ACPOS | Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland |
AD | Advocate Depute |
ADSW | Association of Directors of Social Work |
CFV | Court familiarisation visit |
CH | Children's Hearing |
CHS | Criminal History System ( SCRO database) |
CMS | Court management system (High Court database) |
COP | Sheriff courts database (and COP2) |
COPFS | Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Service |
CPS | Crown Prosecution Service (E&W) |
CPU | Child protection unit |
CWN | Child witness notice (under the VWA) |
DPA | Data Protection Act |
ESDU | Electronic Service Delivery Unit ( SCS) |
FAIs | Fatal Accident Inquiries |
FD | First Diet (first hearing in the sheriff courts) |
FLO | Family Liaison Officer (police) |
FOS | Future Office System (planned COPFS database) |
FPU | Family protection unit |
HMA | Her Majesty's Advocate (prosecution in the High Court) |
ISCJIS | Integration of Scottish Criminal Justice Information Systems |
JII | Joint investigative interview |
LA | Local authority |
MIS | Management Information System ( SCS statistical returns) |
NCH | National Children's Homes (Scotland) |
PF | Procurator Fiscal |
PH | Preliminary hearing (under the High Court reforms) |
PNC | Police national computer |
PROMIS | COPFS database and record keeping system |
RAD | Referrals Administration Database ( SCRA database) |
RAG | Research advisory group |
SAMH | Scottish Association for Mental Health |
SCCYP | Scottish Children's Commissioner for Children and Young People |
SCLC | Scottish Child Law Centre |
SCRA | Scottish Children's Reporter Administration |
SCRO | Scottish Criminal Record Office (now rebranding; part of SPSA) |
SCS | Scottish Court Service |
SE | Scottish Executive; the name of the Scottish Government during the research period; references to the Executive are retained throughout |
SEJD | Scottish Executive Justice Department |
SID | Scottish Intelligence Database (police) |
SJA | Scottish Justices Association (was the District Courts Association) |
SLAB | Scottish Legal Aid Board |
SLC | Scottish Law Commission |
SMs | Special measures (under the VWA) |
SPCB | Scottish Parliament Corporate Body |
SPOR | Scottish Parliament Official Report |
SPR | Standard prosecution report (and SPR2) which the police complete |
SPS | Scottish Prison Service |
SPSA | Scottish Police Services Authority |
SW | Social work |
VIA | Victim Information and Advice ( COPFS) |
VIW | Vulnerable and Intimidated Witnesses (E&W) |
VPR | Vulnerable persons report (some police forces) |
VSS | Victim Support Scotland |
VW | Vulnerable witness (as in VW application) |
VWA | Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 |
VWISG | Vulnerable Witnesses Act Implementation Steering Group |
VWO | Vulnerable Witness Officer |
VWU | Victims and Witnesses Unit ( SEJD) |
WCU | Witness Care Unit (E&W) |
WS | Witness Service (part of Victim Support) |
YJCE Act | Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act (1999) (E&W) |