This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scottish Prosecutor's annual report
02/12/2002
Evidence of the work to make the prosecution service in
Scotland modern, effective, responsive and accountable is
published today in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal
Service (COPFS) annual report.
The report for the period April 2001 to March 2002 sets
out the challenging agenda of change alongside the
achievement of staff who efficiently carried out their
business during the year while the department was under
review.
The Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC, said:
"This has been a year of intense scrutiny and review for
the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. However,
the staff across the department achieved success in
responding to the increasing workload, particularly in
cases of serious crime and the report demonstrates their
commitment and professionalism in responding to the
challenges of change.
"The report also sets out our vision of a public
prosecution service that wins the confidence of the people
of Scotland by demonstrating that it pursues cases
independently, fairly and consistently in the public
interest".
The Department's year included:
Evidence of direction
In September 2001 we commissioned a review of the
planning, management and allocation of resources in the
department to enable the department to deliver a more
focused modern service. Significant changes have already
been made towards an effective, responsive and accountable
prosecution service.
Evidence of investment in the future
Twenty-six new lawyers recruited and a further 21
trainee lawyers have been recruited to maintain the flow of
legal skills.
Evidence of increasing support
Our Victim Information and Advice service became
operational in Hamilton, Glasgow and Kilmarnock providing a
way through the criminal justice process for victims of
crime.
Evidence of openness
Prosecutors across Scotland met with resident groups,
such as neighbourhood watch schemes and minority ethnic
communities to engage the community and increase
understanding of the role of the department.
Key statistics
- 123,306 cases were heard in the criminal courts in
Scotland. High
Court cases were up by 3.1% to 966.
- 1,315 cases of racially motivated crime -
proceedings were taken in 95% of these cases.
- 62 requests for international mutual legal
assistance, including
taking statements from Scottish divers involved in
operations to recover the Russian submarine, Kursk.
- 36 confiscation orders recovering assets from the
proceeds of
crime to the value of £778,844.
A copy of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
annual report is available on request from Howard Hart,
Crown Office, 25 Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LA or
viewed on the department website 'Information' page at
www.crownoffice.gov.uk