Search Legislation

Advanced Search

Sexual Offences (Procedure and Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2002

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Procedure on indictment in sheriff court

This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

5In section 71 (first diet of proceedings on indictment in sheriff court)—

(a)at the beginning there is inserted—

“(A1)At a first diet, the court shall, where the accused is charged with a sexual offence to which section 288C of this Act applies, ascertain whether he has engaged a solicitor for the purposes of his defence at the trial.”;

(b)after subsection (5) there is inserted—

“(5A)Where, however—

(a)the accused is charged with a sexual offence to which section 288C of this Act applies; and

(b)the court has not ascertained (whether at that diet or earlier) that he has engaged a solicitor for the purposes of his defence at the trial,

a first diet may not proceed in his absence; and, in such a case, the court shall adjourn the diet and ordain the accused then to attend.”; and

(c)after subsection (8) there is inserted—

“(8A)Where the court adjourns a first diet under subsection (8) above by reason only that, following inquiries for the purposes of subsection (A1) above, it appears to the court that the accused has not engaged a solicitor for the purposes of his defence at his trial, that adjournment shall be for a period of not more than 48 hours and the accused shall be ordained to then attend.”.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources