
1 

(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019 (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2019 and come into force on 20 January 2020.
(2) In these Regulations, “the Act” means the Vulnerable Witnesses (Criminal Evidence) (Scotland) Act 2019.
2 

(1) 20 January 2020 is the day appointed for the coming into force of the provisions of the Act specified in column 1 of the table in the schedule (the subject matter of which is described in the corresponding entry in column 2).
(2) Where a purpose is specified in an entry in column 3 of the table, the provision specified in the corresponding entry in column 1 comes into force only for that purpose.
3 
Section 1 of the Act applies only—
(a) where any accused in the proceedings first appears on petition on or after 20 January 2020, or
(b) where no accused appears on petition, the indictment is served on any accused in the proceedings on or after 20 October 2020.
4 

(1) Section 5(2) and (3) of the Act apply only where a commissioner is appointed on or after 20 January 2020.
(2) Section 5(6) of the Act applies only where section 1 applies by virtue of regulation 3.
HUMZA YOUSAF
A member of the Scottish Government
St Andrew’s House,
Edinburgh
14th November 2019
SCHEDULE
Regulation 2


Column 1Provisions of the Act Column 2Subject matter Column 3Purpose of commencement
Section 1 Child witnesses in certain solemn cases Hearings in proceedings in the High Court of Justiciary
Section 2 Child witnesses under the age of 12 
Section 4 Review of arrangements for vulnerable witnesses Hearings in proceedings in the High Court of Justiciary
Section 5 Taking evidence by commissioner 
Section 7 Timeframe for considering vulnerable witness notice 
Section 8 Vulnerable witness notice: lodging deadline 
Section 9 Report on operation of sections 1 and 5 
Section 10(1) to (3) Consequential amendments 