Scottish Government
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Changes to press reporting restrictions in court
Increase to the age children are protected from press identification
Changes to the rules around press identification of children in criminal court cases come into force yesterday (Tuesday 1 September).
Until now, members of the press were prohibited from identifying children aged under 16 who are involved in such court proceedings, whether as a victim, witness or accused.
Under the new rules, the age restrictions are increased to apply to children aged under 18.
As is currently the case, the court will still be able to lift any reporting restrictions if it considers this to be in the public interest.
Notes To Editors
The change comes as part of the latest package of measures to be implemented from the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014, which come into force on 1 September 2015.
The change is necessary to ensure consistency with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and a number of EU Directives, all of which identify children as being those aged under 18.
The new changes continue to apply to all children involved in court proceedings, whether as a victim, witness or accused.
Further information on the Act can be found here:
http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Justice/policies/victims-witnesses
Contact Information
SG Communications
Leanna MacLarty
