The Scottish Government

The Criminal Proceedings etc. (Reform) (Scotland) Act was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 18 January 2007 and received Royal Assent on 22 February 2007.

The CPR Act makes significant changes to the operation of the summary justice system, largely based on the commitments made in "Smarter Justice, Safer Communities", published in March 2005.

The main first phase of implementation of the Act's provisions took place on December 10, 2007. The second phase took place on March 10, 2008. Implementation has since focussed on the unification of the summary courts, which is being rolled out on a sheriffdom-by-sheriffdom basis.

Implementation to date

• Changes from 23 February 2009
• Changes from 8 December 2008
• Changes from 2 June 2008
• Changes from 10 March 2008
• Changes from 10 December 2007

History of the SJR Reform Programme

• Progress of the CPR Bill through parliament
• Plans for reform - 'Smarter Justice, Safer Communities' and accompanying leaflet
• The Summary Justice Review (McInnes') Committee's Report 2004
• History of the Summary Justice Reform Programme and membership of the Summary Justice Review Committee
• Research on summary justice commissioned by the McInnes Committee and the Scottish Government
• Analysis of responses to the consultation on the Committee's report

• Contact the Summary Justice Reform team