Landmark proposed changes to Scotland’s justice system have been welcomed as “transformative” by campaigners and survivors of sexual assault, but face significant opposition from the legal profession.
The victims, witnesses and justice reform (Scotland) bill published on Wednesday includes the abolition of the controversial Scottish verdict of “not proven”, thought to be a key factor in Scotland’s markedly lower convictions rate for rape and sexual assault cases, a move first championed by the first minister, Humza Yousaf, when he was justice secretary.
