Background

The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament on 25 April 2023.

The Bill was passed by Scottish Parliament on 17 September 2025.

The Bill received Royal Assent on 30 October 2025 and has become an Act of the Scottish Parliament now known as the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025.

Overview of the contents of the Act:

The Act will progress the ambition and priorities set out in the Vision for Justice in Scotland of delivering person centred and trauma-informed practices, including taking greater action to improve the experience of women and children and to hear victims' voices.

The Act contains 13 parts, which are listed below:

• Part 1 – Victims and Witnesses Commissioner for Scotland
• Part 2 – Trauma-informed practice
• Part 3 – Victims’ rights to receive information and to give views (includes provisions relating to the Victim Notification Scheme)
• Part 4 – Release of prisoners
• Part 5 – Special measures in civil cases
• Part 6 – Criminal juries and verdicts (includes the abolition of not proven verdict)
• Part 7 – Sexual Offences Court
• Part 8 – Special measures for vulnerable witnesses under the 1995 Act
• Part 9 – Sexual offences: further reform (includes anonymity for victims and independent legal representation)
• Part 10 – Non-harassment orders
• Part 11 – Enforcement of protective orders made outwith Scotland
• Part 12 – Domestic abuse cases
• Part 13 – Final provisions (includes a requirement to review the operation of the Act)