Milestone of first ever offence guideline marked in Council’s annual report
The Scottish Sentencing Council made significant progress in developing sentencing guidelines during 2023-24, including achieving a milestone with Scotland's first guideline on specific offences.
Commenting on the Council's Annual Report 2023-24, which was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 23 October 2024, Council Chair, Lady Dorrian, the Lord Justice Clerk, highlighted the approval of the death by driving guideline as a pivotal moment.
"The approval of our guideline on statutory offences of causing death by driving in October 2023 marked a significant milestone. This was Scotland's first ever sentencing guideline on specific offences and provides a vital foundation as we move into a new phase of work focused on developing offence guidelines," said Lady Dorrian.
"While nothing can make up for the tragic loss of life involved in these cases, we believe the guideline will provide clarity for bereaved families and bring significant benefits to the public and the courts."
Lady Dorrian continued: "I am pleased to note that we also made substantial progress with other guidelines under development, particularly those addressing sexual offences and domestic abuse. We prepared and finalised two draft guidelines on rape offences, informed by extensive research including studies on victims' views, which went out for public consultation shortly after the reporting period."
"Throughout the year, we maintained our commitment to promoting awareness and understanding of sentencing, with a particular focus on how sentences are decided, community-based sentences, and sentencing for sexual offences and gender-based violence."
The report highlights several other key achievements during 2023-24, including:
- hosting the inaugural Scottish Sentencing Research Symposium in partnership with the Sentencing Academy and University of Glasgow
- publishing new resources including an information page for victims of crime and their families and a page about the nature and effect of sentencing guidelines
- a public information video offering insight into community sentencing in Scotland, with various contributors sharing their views and experiences
- publishing a report about a stakeholder conference on community sentencing involving participants from across the criminal justice system
- launching new social media channels on Facebook and Instagram, and a newsletter to improve public engagement
- conducting a wide range of important research, such as on mental health and sentencing through a judicial survey, and with victims and survivors seeking their views on sentencing for rape and other sexual offences and on domestic abuse sentencing
- expanding engagement activities through presentations, such as a webinar about the death by driving guideline attended by over 200 legal practitioners from across Scotland and training sessions, including for practitioners who support victims, assisting them to help those they support better understand sentencing and the sentencing process
- general awareness raising activities with Doors Open Days in Edinburgh and Glasgow and more targeted stakeholder engagement with Police Scotland, mental health experts, and presentations at a range of educational institutions