Stage 1 Scrutiny by the Justice Committee
Background
The Community Justice (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Parliament on 7 May 2015.
As set out in the Policy Memorandum, the aim of the Bill is "to help create a stronger community justice system based on local collaborative strategic planning and delivery, with national leadership, support and assurance". The Bill therefore abolishes the eight existing regional community justice authorities and creates a new model for community justice services. These proposals follow reports published in 2012 by the Commission on Women Offenders and by Audit Scotland which highlighted concerns about the current model for community justice, and two subsequent Scottish Government consultations which identified support for introduction of a new model.
Timetable
Evidence
The Committee issued a call for written evidence on 19 May 2015. The closing date for submissions was Wednesday 12 August 2015.
The Committee held evidence sessions on the Bill on 1, 15, 22 September and 6 October 2015.
Work By Other Committees
Report
The Committee published its Stage 1 report to the Parliament on 11 November 2015.
Debate
Consideration of the Bill at Stage 1 concluded with the debate in the Chamber of the Scottish Parliament on 19 November 2015.
Additional Information
Correspondence