SCOTLAND: Will a sex crimes court deliver for victims? The jury is out

[Jim Burton]

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/254 ... tims-jury/

Much of the coverage of the Scottish Government's landmark Victims and Witnesses Bill has focused on its proposal to scrap the not proven verdict and the controversy over its plans for a juryless trials for serious sexual offences which were dropped after an outcry from lawyers and opposition including among SNP MSPs in Holyrood.

But with the mammoth piece of legislation expected to pass its final parliamentary stage tomorrow, it is worth examining one of its aspects which has been discussed much less, the plan to set up a dedicated court for sexual offences.

Supporters say it would help reduce long waits for a case to come to court and also create a better court culture for complainers to give evidence and be cross examined.