Scottish Government Abandons Juryless Rape Trials

The Scottish Government has decided to abandon its controversial pilot scheme for juryless rape trials, which was set to begin in 2028. Justice Secretary Angela Constance cited insufficient cross-party support and significant concerns from the legal profession regarding potential human rights violations as key reasons for scrapping the proposal. Critics, including lawyers and judges, argued that the plan could undermine the justice system and lead to an 'affront to justice.' The government still plans to move forward with the abolition of the 'not proven' verdict, which enjoys broader political support. Advocates for victims had hoped the juryless trials would improve conviction rates for rape, which currently hover around 50%, attributing low rates partly to jurors being influenced by outdated 'rape myths.' The decision underscores ongoing debates about reforming the justice system to better support victims of sexual offenses.