Today marks the publication of the Annual Standards of Service for Victims and Witnesses Report in line with the requirements set out in the Victims and Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2014. This joint report has been prepared in partnership with Police Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service, the Scottish Prison Service and the Parole Board for Scotland.

The report highlights the progress made across the justice system over the past year to improve the experience of victims and witnesses, ensuring they receive appropriate support, and are informed and safe throughout their journey. We remain committed to continually reviewing and assessing the effectiveness of our standards, allowing us to identify opportunities to strengthen the services we provide. The annual report provides an important opportunity for us to measure progress and inform future priorities.

SCTS Chief Executive, Malcolm Graham, said:

“This report highlights the continued progress being made across the justice sector through collective efforts to meet our commitments and improve the experiences of victims and witnesses engaging with the justice system.

"We recognise that involvement in the justice system can be a challenging and, for some victims and witnesses, re-traumatising experience. Embedding trauma informed principles within our organisation remains a priority to ensure that victims and witnesses feel informed, supported and able to participate effectively.

"We are grateful for the ongoing engagement with victim and witness support organisations whose insight and advocacy play an important role in supporting services and identifying opportunities for improvement.

"While this report demonstrates positive progress, we recognise that significant challenges remain. The continued rise in complex and serious criminal cases places additional pressures across the system which, without sustained reform, are likely to lead to further delays. This would go against our ambition to deliver services in a trauma informed way and we will therefore continue working with partners to minimise the potential impact on victims, witnesses and all involved.

"As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are currently reviewing our standards of service for victims and witnesses to ensure that they remain relevant, effective, and fit for purpose. This work will help identify opportunities to strengthen and refine our approach, ensuring that our standards continue to reflect the needs of those who engage with the courts.”

Click to view the Standards of Service for Victims and Witnesses Annual Report 2025-2026.

Click to view the Standards of Service for Victims and Witnesses 2026-2027.