Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1975

252Supplemental powers of High Court

For the purposes of this Part of this Act the High Court may, if they think it necessary or expedient in the interest of justice—

(a)order the production of any document, or other thing connected with the proceedings, the production of which appears to them necessary for the determination of the case;

(b)if they think fit, order any witnesses who would have been compellable witnesses at the trial to attend and be examined before the High Court, whether they were or were not called at the trial, or order the examination of any such witnesses to be conducted in manner provided by section 253(1) of this Act before any judge of the High Court or other person appointed by the High Court for the purpose, and allow the admission of any depositions so taken as evidence before the High Court;

(c)if they think fit, receive the evidence, if tendered, of any witness (including the appellant) who is a competent but not compellable witness, and, if the appellant makes an application for the purpose, of the husband or wife of the appellant, in cases where the evidence of the husband or wife could not have been given at the trial except on such an application;

(d)where any question arising on the appeal involves pro longed examination of documents or accounts, or any scientific or local investigation, which cannot in the opinion of the High Court conveniently be conducted before the court, order the reference of the question in manner provided by section 253(2) of this Act for inquiry and report to a special commissioner appointed by the court, and act upon the report of any such commissioner so far as they think fit to adopt it;

(e)appoint any person with special expert knowledge to act as assessor to the High Court in any case where it appears to the court that such special knowledge is required for the proper determination of the case;

and exercise in relation to the proceedings under this Part of this Act any other powers vested in the High Court, and issue any warrants necessary for enforcing the orders- or sentences of the High Court:

Provided that in no case shall any sentence be increased by reason of or in consideration of any evidence that was not given at the trial.