The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee is seeking views on the general principles of the Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Bill, a Member’s Bill introduced on 27 May 2010 by David Stewart MSP. 

The Bill, together with accompanying documents (including a Policy Memorandum and Explanatory Notes and Financial Memorandum) can be found on the Parliament’s website.

The purpose of the Bill is to establish a Commissioner for Victims and Witnesses in Scotland whose general function would be to promote and safeguard the interests of victims and witnesses. The Bill sets out specific functions that the Commissioner might exercise in order to fulfil its general function—

• promote awareness and understanding of the interests of victims and witnesses;
• promote best practice in relation to victims and witnesses;
• publish or otherwise disseminate information or ideas;
• provide advice or guidance;
• provide education or training; and
• promote, commission, undertake or publish research.

Stage 1 of the scrutiny process is concerned with the general principles of the Bill, although it is also an opportunity to flag up more specific concerns that could be addressed by amendment at later Stages. 

The Justice Committee hopes to consider written submissions and to take oral evidence before the end of 2010 and to report on the Bill’s general principles in early 2011.

As a first step, the Committee is inviting all interested parties to submit views on the Bill (or any provision of it) in writing. 

In making a submission, please indicate clearly whether or not you would wish to be invited to give oral evidence to the Committee to follow up on points made in your submission.  (Please note that the Committee may not invite all those who wish to give oral evidence.)  Submissions should be received, if possible, by no later than Friday 24 September 2010.

How to submit written evidence

Before making a submission, please read the Parliament’s policy on treatment of written evidence by subject and mandatory committees.

Written submissions should normally be limited to around 4 sides of A4 but, if they need to be much longer than this, they should be accompanied by a short summary of the main points.  Submissions should be set out in numbered paragraphs.  Where the submission refers to existing published material, it is preferable to provide hyperlinks or full citations (rather than extensive extracts). The Committee welcomes written evidence in English, Gaelic or any other language.

The Committee prefers to receive written submissions electronically (preferably in Microsoft Word format). These should be sent by e-mail to:

justice.committee@scottish.parliament.uk

However you may also make hard copy written submissions to:

Justice Committee

Room T3.60

The Scottish Parliament

Edinburgh
EH99 1SP

Any queries about written submissions should be addressed in the first instance to the Justice Committee clerking team at the above e-mail address or on (0131) 348 5047.