Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995

[F171BFirst diet: appointment of trial dietS

(1)At a first diet, unless a plea of guilty is tendered and accepted, the court must—

(a)after complying with section 71, and

(b)subject to subsections (3) to (7),

appoint a trial diet.

(2)Where a trial diet is appointed at a first diet, the accused must appear at the trial diet and answer the indictment.

(3)In appointing a trial diet under subsection (1), in any case in which the [F2period specified in section 65(1)(b)] applies (whether or not the [F3period specified in section 65(4)(b)(ii)] also applies in the case)—

(a)if the court considers that the case would be likely to be ready to proceed to trial within that period, it must, subject to subsections (5) to (7), appoint a trial diet for a date within that period, or

(b)if the court considers that the case would not be likely to be so ready, it must give the prosecutor an opportunity to make an application to the court under section 65(3) for an extension of the [F2period specified in section 65(1)(b)].

(4)Where paragraph (b) of subsection (3) applies—

(a)if such an application as is mentioned in that paragraph is made and granted, the court must, subject to subsections (5) to (7), appoint a trial diet for a date within the [F4period specified in section 65(1)(b)] as extended, or

(b)if no such application is made or if one is made but is refused by the court—

(i)the court may desert the first diet simpliciter or pro loco et tempore, and

(ii)where the accused is committed until liberated in due course of law, the accused must be liberated forthwith.

(5)Subsection (6) applies in any case in which—

(a)the [F5period specified in section 65(4)(b)(ii)] as well as the 12 month period applies, and

(b)the court is required, by virtue of subsection (3)(a) or (4)(a) to appoint a trial diet within the [F6period specified in section 65(1)(b)].

(6)In such a case—

(a)if the court considers that the case would be likely to be ready to proceed to trial within the [F7period specified in section 65(4)(b)(ii)], it must appoint a trial diet for a date within that period as well as within the [F8period specified in section 65(1)(b)], or

(b)if the court considers that the case would not be likely to be so ready, it must give the prosecutor an opportunity to make an application under section 65(5) for an extension of the 140 day period.

(7)Where paragraph (b) of subsection (6) applies—

(a)if such an application as is mentioned in that paragraph is made and granted, the court must appoint a trial diet for a date within the [F9period specified in section 65(4)(b)(ii)] as extended as well as within the [F10period specified in section 65(1)(b)],

(b)if no such application is made or if one is made but is refused by the court—

(i)the court must proceed under subsection (3)(a) or (as the case may be) (4)(a) to appoint a trial diet for a date within the 12 month period, and

(ii)the accused is then entitled to be admitted to bail.

(8)Where an accused is, by virtue of subsection (7)(b)(ii), entitled to be admitted to bail, the court must, before admitting the accused to bail, give the prosecutor an opportunity to be heard.

(9)On appointing a trial diet under this section in a case where the accused has been admitted to bail (otherwise than by virtue of subsection (7)(b)(ii)), the court, after giving the parties an opportunity to be heard—

(a)must review the conditions imposed on the accused's bail, and

(b)having done so, may, if it considers it appropriate to do so, fix bail on different conditions.

[F11(10)In this section a reference to the period specified in section 65(1)(b) or section 65(4)(b)(ii) is to be construed as including that period as extended.]]