The Scottish Government introduced the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill in the Parliament on 20 June 2013. It includes provisions:
- setting out police powers to arrest, hold in custody and question suspects
- abolishing the current general requirement for corroboration in criminal cases
- stating that a guilty verdict requires the support of at least two-thirds of a jury
- seeking to improve the preparation and management of sheriff and jury cases
Many of the proposals are based on independent reviews carried out by Lord Carloway and Sheriff Principal Bowen. This briefing considers the main provisions of the Bill.