Shirley McCoard/John Wicks/Elaine Wilson Smith/Kate Skellington Orr/Jacqueline McKellar/Stephen Canning
MVA Consultancy
ISBN 978 1 78045 501 3 (Web publication only)
ISSN 2045-6964
DPPAS 12217
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This report is accompanied by a research finding
Contents
Acknowledgements
Executive Summary
Introduction
Aims and Objectives
Methodology
Key Caveats
Overall key findings
Fair to Victims, Witnesses, and the Accused
Effective in Deterring, Punishing, and Helping to Rehabilitate Offenders
Efficient in the Use of Time and Resources
Quick and Simple in Delivery
Conclusion and Messages for Policy
1 Introduction
Aims and Objectives of SJR and the Current Research
Reforms to Lay Justice
Increase in Powers of JPs and Change in Profile of Cases they Hear
Recruitment and Training of Justices of the Peace
Signing Justices
Methodology
Structure of the Report
Research Caveats
2 Recruitment, Training And Appraisal
Recruitment of Justices of the Peace
The Recruitment Process
The Application Form
The Interview and Appointment Process
Training of Justices of the Peace
Induction and Refresher Training Courses
Local Training
National Training
Comparison of the Training Pre and Post-reform
Appraisal of Justices of the Peace
3 Business In Justice Of The Peace Courts
Share and Volume of Business in the JP Court
Changes to Offence Types
Appropriateness of Case to Forum
Type and Duration/Value of Disposals in the JP court
Cases Progressing Through Court
4 Changes to Signing Services
Understanding of Changes to Signing Services
Use of Signing Powers
Impact on Access to Signing Services
5 Professionalism And Interaction With Others
Interaction with other Professionals
Professionalism of Justices of the Peace
6 Cost Exercise
Economic Analysis
Methodology and Data Considerations
Costs of the Summary Justice System
Caseload
Key Outcomes
7 Contribution To The Wider SJR Outcomes
Understanding of the Reforms
Meeting the Intended Outcomes
Fair to Victims, Witnesses, and the Accused
Effective in Deterring, Punishing, and Helping to Rehabilitate Offenders
Efficient in the Use of Time and Resources
Quick and Simple in Delivery
Overlap with Other Summary Justice Reforms
8 Discussion
Conclusions
Messages for Policy
References
Appendix A - Methodology
Appendix B - Justice of the Peace Topic Guide
Appendix C Full Topic Guide
Appendix D Data regarding Recruitment, Training, and appraisal of JPs
Appendix E - Quantitative data Graphs
The views expressed in this report are those of the researcher and do not necessarily represent those of the Department or Scottish Ministers.