legal proceedings

SCIE report 50: safeguarding adults at risk of harm - a legal guide for practitioners

Guide aimed primarily at practitioners working in various settings for organisations involved in safeguarding. It may also be useful for volunteers, family.

It aims to equip practitioners with information about how to assist and safeguard people. Knowing about the legal basis is fundamental, because the law defines the extent and limits of what can be done to help people and to enable people to keep themselves safe.

Young witnesses in criminal proceedings: a progress report on 'Measuring up' (2009)

Briefing paper which revisits the recommendations and identifies progress made on 'Measuring up'. It also highlights where further action is needed.

It is based on discussions at two seminars held in June and September 2010 and a review of current criminal justice business plans and ‘Big Society’ policy pronouncements. The seminars were attended by senior members of the judiciary, legal profession and civil service.

Sexual Offences (Procedure and Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2002

This Act of Scottish Parliament has two main purposes. These are to prevent the accused in a sexual offence case from personally cross-examining the complainer; and to strengthen the existing provisions restricting the extent to which evidence can be led regarding the character and sexual history of the complainer. The first purpose will be achieved by requiring the accused to be legally represented throughout his or her trial.

'Voice of the Child' Under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 : Giving Due Regard for Children's Views in All Matters that Affect Them : Volume 1

The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 brings together aspects of family, child care and adoption law that affect children. The Act seeks to incorporate the 3 key principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) – i.e. non- discrimination; a child’s welfare as a primary consideration; and listening to children’s views, into Scottish legislation and practice.

Criminal Procedure (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2002

This Act of Scottish Parliament covers intermediate diets and how they relate to arrest warrants. An intermediate diet is a hearing set by a court, in summary criminal proceedings, for the purpose of ascertaining, so far as is reasonably practicable, whether the case is likely to proceed to trial on the date assigned as a trial diet. If an accused does not appear as required for an intermediate diet, the court may grant a warrant for his or her arrest.

Measuring up?: evaluating implementation of government commitments to young witnesses in criminal proceedings

In 2004 the NSPCC and Victim Support described the experiences of 50 young witnesses in their report In Their Own Words. The report concluded that, despite a raft of policies and procedures intended to facilitate children's evidence, their experiences revealed an implementation gap between policy and delivery. This is the executive summary of a study that considers whether the implementation gap has narrowed since 2004.

Introduction to law (English)

This learning object is suitable especially for an opening module, as it provides an orientation into the subject and will stimulate debate on tricky legal and ethical issues. Introduction to Law sets out to make users aware of: the importance and relevance of law; how interesting law can be; the many ways that law impacts upon our lives and work; the importance of Law to social work practice; and the connections between Law and social work values. 'Why Study Law' asks you to reflect upon how you see the law through a 10 question quiz.

Courtroom scenario

'Courtroom scenario' is suitable for a module or learning opportunity on working in courts. These materials will enable users to: perform confidently in relation to court processes and systems; appreciate good practice when giving evidence; develop understanding of, and skills in responding to cross-examination; and identify involvement in the court room as a positive element of practice.