CIRCULAR NO. SWSG15/96

Chief Executives: Scottish Local Authorities

Copy to: Directors of Social Work/Chief Social Work Officers

Holders of SWSG Guidance Package

Crown Office

Scottish Court Administration 8 August 1996

Scottish Court Services

Dear Sir/Madam

COMMUNITY SERVICE BY OFFENDERS

(HOURS OF WORK) (SCOTLAND) ORDER 1996 No. 1938 (S 156)

Summary

1. The Secretary of State recently announced an increase in the minimum and maximum number of hours for Community Service Orders. This Circular advises the coming into force of the Community Service by Offenders (Hours of Work) (Scotland) Order 1996 No. 1938 (S 156) on Thursday 18 July 1996.

Purpose

2. The Order applies to the making of a Community Service Order under section 238 of the Criminal Procedure Scotland Act 1995. The new provisions apply to all cases where the offence was committed on or after Thursday 18 July 1996.

3. The Order increases the minimum number of hours for which a community Service Order can be made from 40 to 80 hours. The maximum number of hours for which an order can be made by courts of solemn jurisdiction is increased from 240 to 300 hours. The previous maximum of 240 hours continues to apply in courts of summary jurisdiction.

Conclusion

4. Please ensure that all officers and staff concerned are notified of these changes as soon as possible.

Contact Point

5. Enquiries about this Circular may be addressed to Mr A Cockburn, Social Work Services Group, Room 13, James Craig Walk, Edinburgh EH1 3BA, Tel No. 0131-244-5435.

Yours faithfully

JIM KIRBY

To holders of the SWSG Circulars and Guidance Package: This circular should be placed in Section G1 of the volume containing "Criminal Justice" circulars.