Scottish Government Pushes Ahead With Plans for No-Jury Trials for Rape Defendants

Justice Secretary Angela Constance is sworn in as (left to right) Net Zero and Just Transition Secretary Mairi McAllan, Wellbeing, Economy, Fair Work, and Energy Secretary Neil Gray, and Education and Skill Secretary Jenny Gilruth watch during a ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, Scotland, on March 31, 2023. Andrew Milligan-Pool/Getty Images

The Scottish government has published new legislation which, if passed, would scrap Scotland’s not proven verdict—which dates back to the 17th century—and would also allow for no-jury trials in some rape cases.

The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill would also reduce the number of jurors in Scottish trials from 15 to 12, bringing it in line with courts in England and Wales.