New Scottish Budget Bill Unveiled

Thursday, 9th September, 2010

The First Minister has today given details of the ten bills to be brought before Holyrood over the coming months, which will include changes to the double jeopardy rule and legislation on forced marriage.

The 800-year-old law on double jeopardy prevents a person from being put on trial twice for the same crime. The Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Bill will, if passed, allow someone to be put on trial for a second time in cases of murder, culpable homicide, rape and other serious sexual offences if compelling new evidence against them comes to light.

The Government will also bring forward legislation to protect people from being forced to enter marriage against their will, and protect those who are in forced marriages. The Forced Marriage etc (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Bill aims to empower and protect vulnerable men and women against serious abuse.