PE01766: Legal aid for private criminal prosecutions for unwaged and, or, learning-disabled victims of abuse

Petitioner: Andrew Buchan

Status:
Closed

Date Lodged: 11 December 2019

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to change the law to provide free legal aid to people who are unwaged and/or learning-disabled victims of abuse who wish to bring a private criminal prosecution.

Petition History:

SPICe Briefing (110KB pdf)

Summary

30 January 2020: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. Link to Official Report of meeting 30 January 2020

24 September 2020: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that the Scottish Government has no plans to adjust the current process by which private prosecution can be initiated. Link to Official Report of Meeting 24 September 2020

Written submissions

PE1766/A: Petitioner submission of 18 December 2019 (85KB pdf)

PE1766/B: Billie Fletcher submission of 4 January 2020 (86KB pdf)

PE1766/C: Scottish Government submission of 26 February 2020 (103KB pdf)

PE1766/D: Petitioner submission of 15 September 2020 (10KB pdf)

Comments (0)

• Do you agree that poor unwaged and learning-disabled victims of abuse should get free legal aid for private criminal prosecutions?

• Do you have any experience of the issues raised in my petition?