Scotland - Ancient jury verdict of "not proven" abolished - 1 Jan 2026

[MelmothTheLost]

Scotland's not proven verdict abolished in all new criminal trials from New Year's Day​

The Scottish Government said the move will help create a clearer, fairer, and more transparent decision-making process.

From January 1, the jury majority required for a conviction will also change, moving from the current simple majority to at least two-thirds of the 15 jurors.

The remaining measures in the justice reform Bill will be implemented in phases, with Parliament updated as timescales are confirmed.

Scotland's not proven verdict abolished in all new trials

The Scottish Government said the move will help create a clearer, fairer and more transparent decision-making process.

news.stv.tv

 

[MelmothTheLost]

We fought for 33 years to abolish not proven verdict after our daughter's murder​

Joe and Kate Duffy were devastated and baffled when the man accused of their daughter's murder walked free from court.

They had felt certain that Francis Auld would be found guilty of killing 19-year-old Amanda in Hamilton in 1992.

But a jury found the charges against him not proven - one of two verdicts of acquittal which could be returned in criminal trials in Scotland.

We fought for 33 years to abolish not proven verdict after our daughter's murder

The centuries-old verdict has been scrapped after decades of controversy about its use in Scottish criminal trials.

www.bbc.co.uk