Legislation / Legal
SGC: Offenders who target elderly victims and steal from them on the street or in their homes should face custodial sentences the Sentencing Guidelines Council has recommended in a Consultation Guideline on theft offences (closes on Friday 23 May 2008) – See ‘Consultations’ section for more information.
ScotGov: Sweeping reforms to Scotland's summary justice system came into force last week, transforming how police, fiscals and the lower courts handle thousands of cases involving less serious offences:
* Procurators fiscal will have enhanced powers for offering an accused person a 'fiscal fine' and/or the opportunity to make compensation payments as a 'direct measure' in cases that can be appropriately dealt with out of court.
* Police will have powers to require those charged with offences and released on an 'undertaking' to appear at court to comply with specific extra conditions (such staying away from an area) until their first court date.
* New fines enforcement officers come into being, who will be able to provide payment advice, while also having powers, including the ability to dock wages, freeze bank accounts and seize vehicles, to tackle wilful non-payment.
* New fines enforcement officers come into being, who will be able to provide payment advice, while also having powers, including the ability to dock wages, freeze bank accounts and seize vehicles, to tackle wilful non-payment.
In addition a rolling process to unify the administration of all courts under the Scottish Court Service (SCS) also started with lay justice JP courts in Lothian and Borders coming under the agency's responsibility.
Press release ~ Scottish Court Service (SCS) ~ Summary of changes ~ Criminal Proceedings (Reform) (Scotland) Act 2007 (CPRA) ~ System Model paper
ScotGov: A Bill to establish a new body to support Scottish arts and culture has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. Culture Minister Linda Fabiani said that the Creative Scotland Bill is a significant step towards the amalgamation of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen to form the cultural development body, Creative Scotland.
The Creative Scotland Bill is intended to give the new Creative Scotland body functions to:
The Creative Scotland Bill is intended to give the new Creative Scotland body functions to:
* Promote understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the arts and culture
* Identify, support and develop talent and excellence in the arts and culture
* Realise the value and benefits of arts and culture
* Support activities which involve the application of creative skills to the development of products and processes
Press release ~ Creative Scotland Bill ~ ScotGov: Arts and Culture ~ Scottish Arts Council~ Scottish Screen ~ Creative Scotland Transition Project ~ Bòrd na Gàidhlig
Press release ~ Creative Scotland Bill ~ ScotGov: Arts and Culture ~ Scottish Arts Council~ Scottish Screen ~ Creative Scotland Transition Project ~ Bòrd na Gàidhlig
.png)
