Decision to withdraw abolition of corroboration from Criminal Justice Bill is welcomed
SCOTTISH Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has announced that plans to abolish the need for corroboration in criminal cases have been dropped
Speaking at Holyrood, Matheson confirmed that the section of the Criminal Justice Bill which would end the need for at least two sources of evidence was being removed.
The controversial plan was introduced by Matheson’s predecessor Kenny MacAskill who said the law was “outdated” and denied many victims justice.
Efforts to end the current need for two different and independent sources of evidence were supported by groups which represent victims of rape, sexual assault and domestic abuse.
The decision to scrap the plans came after after a review by a retired judge Lord Bonomy recommended that corroboration should be retained for cases where evidence is obtained by hearsay and confession.
Matheson also announced that he would remove a measure requiring increase jury majorities.
Matheson said the government would now take time to consider Lord Bonomy’s recommendations in full.
He said: “We all recognise the added difficulties of prosecuting crimes committed in private, and we all share the belief that victims of crime deserve access to justice. Despite this, it has not been possible to build a consensus around the corroboration rule at this time.
“On that basis, it is clear to me that proceeding with the removal of the corroboration requirement in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill would be neither appropriate nor feasible.
“Our justice system must provide the appropriate balance, so that the rights of suspects, victims and witnesses all get the protections they deserve. It must, as far as possible, be fair to all.”
Sandy Brindley from Rape Crisis Scotland said that the decision to review the research properly was the right one.
Brindley said: “As I understand it what they’re doing is postponing the decision which I think probably makes sense. It’s important to wait and look at things properly once all the research is available. The last thing that we want is for measure to be introduced that instead of making things better, actually make things worse for rape complainants.
“We are really worried that if you increase jury majorities but retain not proven, then you will see less rape convictions. We know that juries can very often be reluctant in rape cases. Changes in majorities could have negative impact for rape complainants, so on balance we think its right to wait and introduce measures across the board rather than in a piecemeal way.”
Mark Leiser, lecturer at Strathclyde, editor of online law magazine The Firm, welcomed the decision.
He said: “I’m pleased with the outcome but disappointed that we had to go through that process.
“There’s always going to be a debate and there’s an inevitable tension that exists between those who are using the criminal justice system to get justice and those who believe that the criminal justice system at its heart needs to be restrained. These are not necessarily irreconcilable though.”
Leiser said the the campaign from many in the legal profession was a key factor in the Scottish government’s u-turn on the issue.
“This has been stopped because the campaign against it was very vocal. But it was also the right way to have done this. The review was made up of a well respected law lord, criminal law academics, practitioners and importantly those who represent victims organisations too. It has legitimacy,” he said.
Picture by Tony Webster