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JUSTICE
PORTFOLIO RESPONSIBILITIES
The Justice portfolio plays a key role in supporting the achievement of our objective for a safer and stronger Scotland - helping local communities to flourish and to become stronger, safer places to live that offer improved opportunities and a better quality of life. It also contributes to our work to tackle disadvantage, prejudice and discrimination. The justice system seeks to punish offenders and discourage them from re-offending while protecting the rest of society.
The Justice portfolio has responsibility for:
- the development of civil and criminal laws which protect society, promote mutual respect and help us all to thrive;
- the administration of an effective, fair and efficient justice system, supported by an independent and valued legal profession;
- ensuring public safety through police, fire and community justice services, and co-ordinating preparation for potential civil emergencies;
- securing access to justice; and
- the effective and proportionate regulation of charities.
The Scottish Prison Service, Scottish Court Service and Accountant in Bankruptcy are Scottish Government Agencies of the portfolio and central to delivering our priorities.
PROMOTING DISABILITY EQUALITY
Disabled people are more likely to feel 'unsafe' when walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark than those who are not disabled and 15% cent of disabled adults say that their quality of life is affected in some way by fear of crime, compared to only 8% of adults who are not disabled. But it isn't just a matter of perception - 1 in 5 disabled Scots has experienced harassment because of their disability and 47% of the people who responded to the qualitative Survey Report - Hate Crimes Against Disabled People in Scotland (2004 - Disability Rights Commission) - had experienced hate crime because of their disability.
We also know that access to justice can be difficult for disabled people. A variety of issues contribute to this, including physical accessibility, access to information and cost.
We will take action to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people by:
- supporting the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill which will introduce new aggravations for offences motivated by malice or ill will based on a victim's actual or perceived disability
- creating a Scottish Sentencing Council to give effect to sentencing guidelines
- and improving access to justice for disabled people as follows:
- as part of the implementation of the Civil Courts Review, we will consider the case for specialist discrimination courts and technically qualified assessors to assist courts in discrimination cases
- we will consider reform of the system of tribunals and administrative justice
- we will specifically consider provision of publicly funded legal assistance in Mental Health Review Tribunals and Additional Support Needs Tribunals
- we will review financial eligibility for legal aid and identify access and eligibility issues impacting on disabled people
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
Police and Community Safety Directorate
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
Police and Community Safety Directorate works collaboratively with key partners to support Scottish Government's purpose of creating a more successful country with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable growth.
We do this by ensuring the people of Scotland live in safer communities and benefit from high levels of safety and security from police and fire and rescue services, improved resilience and readiness for emergencies and reduced levels of violence and drug misuse. Our objectives are to:
- Improve police services;
- Improve fire and rescue services;
- Improve Scotland's resilience and readiness for emergencies;
- Increase the effectiveness of drug misuse prevention and treatment and rehabilitation for drug addicts;
- Make our communities safer and less violent; and
- Ensure Justice policies are based on sound evidence.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
We are committed to addressing inequalities and discrimination that disabled people face. We seek to mainstream equalities into our work and to take positive action to eliminate discrimination in development of our policies. In doing so we highlight to the organisations and agencies we work with that our duty also extends to them.
We are committed to undertaking Equality Impact Assessments for all new and developing policy, and involving disabled people when appropriate. Where Equality Impact Assessments identify the need for specific actions to be taken to ensure the needs of disabled people are met we will put these in place. We are also undertaking work to ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities under the equality duties.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
To support the revision of our disability equality scheme Scottish Government Equalities Unit held workshops with disabled people to identify issues important to disabled people. In response to some of these issues this action plan sets out specific pieces of work where we will ensure:
- our duty is passed on to contractors in the procurement process;
- our stakeholders are aware of the issues raised that they are responsible for;
- information is accessible; and
- where disabled people are involved in policy development they receive feedback on their involvement.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Support colleagues to carry out EQIAs | Review the need to support colleagues in preparing EQIAs as part of analytical planning and programme development process | Justice Analytical Services | Ongoing | Better awareness of the availability of disability statistics and research |
Prevent people who are Deaf or hard of hearing from being injured or killed by fire. | Fund the provision of smoke alarms for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing | Scottish Resilience | Ongoing | Less people who are Deaf or hard of hearing are injured by fire. |
Continue to develop accessibility of Scottish Fire Services College website and to all e related initiatives. | Review website and e related initiatives using existing accessibility guidance. | Scottish Fire Services College, Scottish Resilience | Ongoing - Relates to SFSC Business Plan 2007-2010 Ref 4.6.1. | Web site and all e related initiatives are accessible to disabled people |
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Firearms marketing campaign | - Carry out an Equality Impact Assessment
- Ensure procurement contracts address issues identified by EQIA
- Ensure any evaluation of the campaign captures views of disabled people
| Police Powers, Performance and Resources | September 2008 | Disabled people's awareness is raised as much as public awareness in general. |
Review of Police recruitment standards | - Carry out an Equality Impact Assessment
- Involve Disability organisations in the review
- Ensure any guidance that results from the review sets out a response to any equality issues.
| Police Powers, Performance and Resources | December 2008 | Police circulars on recruitment will take account of issues for disabled people |
Develop a national Sex Offender Strategy | - Carry out an Equality Impact Assessment
- Ensure procurement contracts address issues identified by the Equality Impact Assessment
| Police Powers, Performance and Resources | January 2009 | The strategy will address issues specific to disabled people |
Scottish Crime and Victimisation Survey | Include a section on findings in relation to equalities issues in the next publication of the report. | Justice Analytical Services | September 2009 | A better understanding of the crime and justice issues that affect disabled people. |
Sponsor the Scottish Police Services Agency ( SPSA) to provide national policing services | Ensure SPSA are aware of their requirement to have a Disability Equality Scheme. | Police Organised Crime and Support Services | Ongoing | The Duty is met by more public bodies |
Public appointments to SPSA | Continue to use the public appointments guidance | Police Organised Crime and Support Services | Ongoing | Public appointments are open to disabled people |
Provide training and development services for Scotland's Fire and Rescue Services | - Continue to train all trainees in equality & diversity issues in relation to the Fire and Rescue Service role map
- Continue to provide equality & diversity training as part of all leadership development programmes in relation to the Fire and Rescue Service role maps
- Ensure all training, internal and contracted, provided is accessible to all participants
- Ensure the training equipment and facilities, including accommodation, are accessible to all participants
- Ensure equalities legislation is adhered to when recruiting staff
| Scottish Fire Services College, Scottish Resilience | Ongoing - Relates to SFSC Business Plan 2007-2010 Ref 4.6.1 | All participants in training programmes are aware of the Disability duty. Training and employment opportunities are open to disabled fire fighters |
Deliver Community Fire advice | - Carry out an Equality Impact Assessment
- Continue to collect information on groups vulnerable to fire and target campaigns accordingly.
| Scottish Resilience | Ongoing | Advice and awareness raising is tailored to disabled people |
Programme of action to tackle drug misuse | - Carry out an Equality Impact Assessment
- Implement actions identified through EQIA
- Include disabled people in EQIA process
| Drugs and Community Safety | August 2008 | The programme of action will address any issues specific to disabled people that are identified in the EQIA |
Manage the 'Cashback' programme to distribute money from proceed of crime | Carry out an Equality Impact Assessment | Drugs and Community Safety | August 2008 | The programme will address any issues specific to disabled people that are identified in the EQIA |
Develop a strategy for a resilient Scotland | Carry out EQIA to ensure the strategy applies equally | Scottish Resilience | January 2009 | The Scottish Government's strategy is understood by stakeholders |
Review of the National Anti-social behaviour strategy | - Carry out an Equality Impact Assessment
- Involve disabled people in the review
| Drugs and Community Safety | August 2008 | The strategy will address any issues specific to disabled people that are identified in the EQIA |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIRECTORATE
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
Criminal Justice Directorate works with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Ministers, other Directorates, other justice organisations, local authorities, the voluntary sector and other contributors to provide the legal framework, systems and services in criminal justice and licensing that are needed to support the Government's purpose, strategic objectives and outcomes with particular reference to Safer and Stronger.
Our objectives are:
- To contribute to reducing reoffending and help the reintegration of offenders into mainstream economic and social activity
- To develop and prioritise effective community justice penalties
- To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system with particular emphasis on the needs of victims of crime, vulnerable witnesses and Scotland's diverse communities
- To develop the legal framework in criminal law in the interests of a just and fair society
- Improve public protection through criminal justice policy and procedures
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
We are committed to making sure that the policies, procedures and services that we lead or influence make a positive contribution to improving the experiences that disabled people face. This will involve staff awareness and training and highlighting to the organisations we work with that they too have statutory duties to promote disability equality. We will take positive action to eliminate discrimination and inequality in our policies. We will use evidence to help us to understand the needs and experiences of disabled people.
We will undertake Equality Impact Assessments for all new policy activity and apply the findings from them. We will involve disabled people in our development work and in monitoring and evaluation.
As indicated in our aims and objectives, our work in policy, procedure and service development is seeks to help offenders, including those with disabilities, to become more economically active; and at building the confidence of the public, including victims of crime and vulnerable witnesses, in a safer and stronger Scotland.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
One in five disabled Scots have experienced harassment because of their disability. The Scottish Household Survey ( SHS) results show that:
Those with a disability or long-term illness are more likely to feel 'unsafe' when walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark than those without a disability or long-term illness.
There are also differences in the perceptions of safety between disabled adults and adults without a disability or long-term illness, when they are asked how safe they feel when home alone at night. Six per cent of disabled adults consider themselves 'very unsafe' or 'a bit unsafe' when alone in their home at night compared to three per cent of adults without a disability or long-term illness.
There are significant differences between disabled adults and adults without a disability in terms of those responding that fear of crime has some effect on their quality of life. Fifteen per cent of disabled adults responded that their quality of life was affected in some way. This compares to eight per cent of adults without a disability or long-term illness.
47% of the people who responded to the qualitative Survey Report - Hate Crimes Against Disabled People in Scotland (2004 - Disability Rights Commission) - had experienced hate crime because of their disability.
As part of the development of the Scottish Government's Disability Equality Scheme, events was held in March to directly involve disabled people. Participants identified issues for disabled people in relation to criminal justice.
- Need for better access to courts and police stations, including physical access and access to information
- Need to improve the availability of legal advice for disabled people
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Implementation of the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 Evidence shows that vulnerable witnesses may be intimidated from giving their best evidence by the courtroom setting. The Act provides for special measures such as screens, live TV link etc to protect children and other vulnerable witnesses when giving evidence. | Implementing provisions of the Act that will protect disabled witnesses if they are accepted by the court as being vulnerable for the purposes of the Act. | Victims and Witnesses Unit, with COPFS, Scottish Court Service, ACPOS, SCRA, voluntary orgs. Law Society, judiciary. | Implementation programme completed 1 April 2007. | Fairer treatment of all child and adult vulnerable disabled witnesses with easier and wider access to the measures in the Act. |
Sentencing Evidence shows that disabled people are prone to be victimised on account of their perceived membership of the relevant group, as well as general vulnerability. | Create Scottish Sentencing Council to give effect to sentencing guidelines in line with the SNP manifesto commitment. | Criminal Law & Licensing Division - Sentencing Policy Unit | Ongoing | Disabled people protected from offenders through consistent sentencing approaches. Improved credibility of criminal justice system in its dealings with disabled victims and those who offend against them. |
Hate Crime Evidence shows that disabled people are prone to be victimised on account of their perceived membership of the relevant group, as well as general vulnerability. | Support Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill. This Bill will introduce new aggravations for offences motivated by malice or ill will based on a victim's actual or perceived disability. | Criminal Law & Licensing Division - Sentencing Policy Unit | April 2008 (for introduction) | The Bill aims to protect disabled people from crime motivated by prejudice towards disability. One of the provisions of the Bill is a requirement to record when a crime has been motivated by prejudice related to disability. This will enable us to build up a better of understanding of the scope of crimes motivated by disability and the problems faced by people with disabilities in Scotland today. |
Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill The Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill will reform Scots law on sexual offences. | The Bill will take proper regard of mental health issues in relation to sexual offences, and in particular issues around the ability of people who suffer from a mental disability or disorder to consent to sexual activity. | Criminal Law & Licensing Division | Bill to be introduced in Parliament in 2008. | Effective, robust legislation on sexual offences which provides protection to those suffering from a mental disability or disorder and respects their sexual autonomy. |
Sponsorship of Victim Support Scotland | Through our financial sponsorship of VSS, we expect them to promote equality and tackle discrimination through their work with victims and witnesses. This is included as a commitment in VSS's corporate plan which is backed up by its Diversity Policy. | Victims and Witnesses Unit and VSS | Ongoing | Effective access to services provided to victims and witnesses who have a disability. |
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Vulnerable victims of crime | National Standards for Victims of Crime includes a commitment that the standards apply to all victims regardless of whether they are disabled or not. | All Divisions in Criminal Justice Directorate and Equality Unit plus other Criminal Justice Agencies | Published Feb. 05. Ongoing monitoring of application. | All who have endorsed the standards should be able to demonstrate how they are being applied in practice. |
Implementation of the Vulnerable Witnesses Act | As part of implementation of the Vulnerable Witnesses Act, published practitioner guidance on working with witnesses with particular needs. | All Divisions in Criminal Justice Directorate and Equality Unit plus other Criminal Justice Agencies and Voluntary Organisations. | Published June 05. Ongoing. Further guidance to be published May/June 2007. | Ensure that all practitioners working with vulnerable witnesses are better aware of the requirements of witnesses with particular needs. |
Community Justice Services | It is anticipated that the new version of the National Standards for Criminal Justice Social Work, when finalised, will contain reference to what is expected of practitioners on working with offenders with disabilities. | Community Justice Services Division with ADSW, local authorities and voluntary sector organisations. | Revised Standards due summer 2007. | Greater awareness by practitioners of the needs of offenders with particular needs. |
'Section 306' Publication - 'Costs and Equalities and the Scottish Criminal Justice System' | Section 306 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 requires Scottish Ministers to publish annually equalities information relating to crime and justice (as well as information enabling people engaged in the administration of criminal justice to become aware of the financial implications of their decisions). | Criminal Law and Licensing Division, Sentencing Policy Unit | Annually | Enabling people working in the criminal justice system to avoid discrimination. |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
CONSTITUTION, LAW AND COURTS DIRECTORATE
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
We work with Ministers and key stakeholders to ensure that the people in Scotland benefit from an efficient and respected civil justice system and access to both civil and criminal justice to make Scotland a safer, stronger and fairer place to live. We will work to improve the Scottish civil justice system to make it responsive to the needs of all its users and as easy to access and understand as possible.
Our objectives are to:
- Update and modernise Scotland's civil law and civil justice system
- Update and modernise charity law in Scotland
- Lead in debate on the structure and regulation of the legal profession
- Reforming access to justice
- Promoting Scotland's justice interests in Europe and beyond
- We will also work with Ministers to benefit the people in Scotland by
- delivering the Government's programme for legislation in the Scottish Parliament;
- developing a strategy to engage civil society in the Government's National Conversation on constitutional change;
- developing relations with the UK Government and Scottish Parliament;
- developing and promoting policies to improve participative democracy and engage civil society in policy development;
- giving effect to the recommendations of the Gould report on local government elections; and
- developing and supporting the Government's policy on Freedom of Information and, in particular, proactive release of information
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
We are committed to ensure Equality Impact Assessments are undertaken for all new and developing policies. We will ensure engagement with disabled people when appropriate when developing new policy. We will hold EQIA workshops in consultation with Equalities Unit, to raise awareness of staffs' responsibilities in this area.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
There is a good level of knowledge of equality issues in the Directorate due to the development within Civil Justice, Law Reform and International Division of the proposals to set up the Scottish Human Rights Commission. That role will continue and will be enhanced, now that the Commission is now in place.
Awareness raising sessions and internal processes are being set up to ensure effective understanding and completion of Equality Impact Assessments. That includes awareness of issues for disabled people. This is being developed, based on assessments of and monitoring through, the Business Planning Tool.
The need for special consideration of impacts on the court system is understood in areas such as access to court rooms and to facilities in courts necessary to vindicate legal rights and representation; support in passing disability discrimination court proceedings; and in developing policy concerning adults with incapacity.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions which are designed to address disability issues identified from evidence and involvement.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Improvement of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 | Legislation in the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 to improve operation of the Act | Constitution, Law and Courts, Civil Law | April 2008 | More user-focused Act with easier and wider access to the measures in the Act |
Development of specialised courts | As part of the implementation of the Civil Courts Review, we will consider the case for specialist discrimination courts and technically qualified assessors to assist courts in discrimination cases | Constitution, Law and Courts, Legal System | Implementation of Civil Courts Review; Bill planned for May 2010 | Easier vindication of rights of disabled persons who are discriminated against (and reduced discrimination in future as a result) |
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
Equal treatment of men and women as parties to family law disputes | Full implementation of Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 and associated non-legislative measures | Constitution, Law and Courts, Civil Law | Act came into force on 4 May 2006; subject to ongoing monitoring | System driven by welfare of children, but both male and female ex-partners should be treated fairly |
Reform of Civil Court system | - Undertaking an EQIA
- Developing/improving monitoring to provide information on disabled people
- Building equalities requirements into guidance for policy delivery
| Constitution, Law and Courts, Legal System | Implementation of Civil Courts Review; Bill planned for May 2010 | Easier vindication of rights of disabled persons who are discriminated against (and reduced discrimination in future as a result) |
Reform of system of tribunals and administrative justice | - Undertaking an EQIA
- Developing/improving monitoring to provide information on disabled people
- Building equalities requirements into guidance for policy delivery
| Constitution, Law and Courts, Legal System | Implementation of Tribunals Reform programme; Bill planned for May 2010 | Easier vindication of rights of disabled persons who are discriminated against (and reduced discrimination in future as a result |
Legal aid review of financial eligibility | - Undertake EQIA
- Identify access and eligibility issues impacting on disabled people
- Consider options to address these as part of review
| Constitution, Law and Courts, Legal System | April 2009 | Better targeted publicly funded legal assistance |
Tackling poverty/publicly funded legal assistance | - Undertake EQIA
- Identify unmet needs for advice and assistance impacting on disabled people and options to address
- Specifically consider provision of publicly funded legal assistance in Mental Health Review Tribunals and Additional Support Needs Tribunals
| Constitution, Law and Courts, Legal System | April 2010 | Improved access to justice for disabled people |
Awareness raising of Human Rights due to the setting up of the Scottish Human Rights Commission | - Undertaking an EQIA
- Developing/improving monitoring to provide information on disabled people
- Building equalities requirements into guidance for policy delivery
| Constitution, Law and Courts, Civil Law, EUJHA Team (at present) | Ongoing with effect from 1 April 2008 | Fairer treatment of disabled person by public authority |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
Scottish Government Legal Directorate
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
The central purpose of the Legal Directorate is to support Ministers and the Law Officers across the range of their legal and parliamentary responsibilities.
Most of the Directorate's work relates to the provision of legal services including the preparation of primary and subordinate legislation and giving legal advice to Ministers and policy officials.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
We are committed to addressing inequalities and discrimination that disabled people face in Scotland by working with other Scottish Government Directorates to ensure that they meet their legal disability equality obligations.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
The directorate's work relates to the provision of legal services.
Directorate staff keep abreast of disability and equality legislation to enable provision of up to date advice.
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
It is the responsibility generally of policy Directorates to ensure that policies which impact either directly or indirectly on equality issues contain appropriate provisions. | Legal Directorate will:- - Work to support Directorates to meet their legal and voluntary obligations in terms of equality
- Keep abreast of disability and equality legislation to enable us to provide up to date advice
- Where appropriate, draft legislation and advice in accessible language and using plain English.
| SGLD/ All staff | Ongoing | Development and delivery of policy in line with disability equality duty requirements. |
DISABILITY EQUALITY ACTION PLAN
Name of Directorate or Agency
Office of the Scottish Parliamentary Counsel ( OSPC)
Directorate or Agency Responsibilities.
To work with Ministers and policy and legal colleagues in the planning and management of the Scottish Government's legislative programme; to deliver the legislative programme through the drafting of effective, clearly-drafted, accessible Bills; and to seek to maintain the logical and coherent development of the Scottish statute book. OSPC does not have policy responsibilities.
Statement of Directorate/Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Disability Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes.
We are committed to addressing inequalities and discrimination that disabled people face in Scotland, by working with policy makers to ensure that new legislation takes proper account of the issues for disabled people.
What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, disabled people within the Directorate/Agency Responsibilities
As noted above, OSPC does not have responsibility for policy development. Drafting teams in OSPC gain knowledge of the impact of policies on disabled people from the policy and drafting instructions for a Bill, the wider documentation ( e.g. consultation documents) and contacts with the lead policy Directorate
Disability Equality Action Plan
Key actions within the Directorate/Agency areas of responsibility where disability equality is being mainstreamed.
Policy | Action | By whom | By when | Expected Outcome |
|---|
It is generally the responsibility of policy Directorates to ensure that policies that impact directly or indirectly on equality issues make appropriate provision for disability equality. | In drafting Bills, OSPC will- - be ready to question policy and drafting instructions with a view to ensuring that the resulting legislation takes appropriate account of those to whom it will apply, including disabled people
- aim as far as possible to draft in clear and accessible language, and in plain English.
| OSPC/ All staff | ongoing | New legislation will take account of disabled people. |
CROWN OFFICE AND PROCURATOR FISCAL SERVICE
PORTFOLIO RESPONSIBILITIES
The overarching responsibility of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service ( COPFS) is to serve the public interest, prosecuting cases independently, fairly and effectively.
The key aims of COPFS are to:
- secure the confidence of Scotland's diverse communities by improving the delivery of justice through the timely, efficient and effective prosecution of crime;
- give priority to prosecution of serious crime, including drugs trafficking and persistent offenders;
- provide services that meet the information needs of victims, witnesses and next of kin, in co-operation with other agencies; and
- ensure that all deaths reported to the Procurator Fiscal are investigated appropriately and speedily.
In this way, COPFS contributes to a safer and stronger Scotland by ensuring that cases are brought to a conclusion in the most appropriate way as quickly as possible. By tackling crime quickly and using a wider range of measures appropriate for specific offences, the COPFS portfolio will help to reduce crime and the fear of crime, improve the conditions which support economic development and social capital in communities, and enhance the quality of life of all Scottish people.
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