Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill

Author: Sarah Harvie-Clark

PDF Published: Wednesday 09 Dec 2020 (SB 20-79)

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Overview
Report

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Overview
Report
- Executive Summary
- Introduction and overview
  - The story so far
  - What this briefing covers
- What the Bill does - a summary
  - The people affected by the new powers (section 1)
  - Abusive behaviour (sections 2, 3, 4 and 8)
  - Domestic Abuse Protection Notices (sections 4-7)
  - Domestic Abuse Protection Orders (sections 8-16)
  - A new ground to end a tenancy where there has been abusive behaviour (section 18)
- Part 1 of the Bill: Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders
  - Background to Part 1 of the Bill
    
    A note on terminology
    
    The Istanbul Convention
    
    Cross-border effect
    
    Existing protective powers
    
    Civil protective orders
    
    An overview
    
    Possible future reform
    
    A complex system
    
    The role of the person at risk and a court-based system
    
    The main civil protective orders in more detail
    
    Non-harassment orders (NHOs)
    
    Interdicts
    
    Exclusion orders
    
    Police and criminal court powers
    
    Release on an undertaking
    
    Investigative liberation
    
    Remand a suspect in custody prior to trial
    
    Special bail conditions
    
    The experience of other countries
    
    An overview
    
    Domestic abuse support services
    
    England and Wales
    
    The existing law
    
    The 2013 and 2016 research evaluations
    
    The 2017 report
    
    The 2018 UK Government consultation
    
    The Domestic Abuse Bill for England and Wales
  - Part 1 of the Bill: in more detail
    
    DAPNs - the concept of a short-term notice imposed by the police
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
    
    DAPOs - the concept of a court-imposed order
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
    
    The consent of the person at risk
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
    
    Which individuals are covered by a DAPN or DAPO
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
    
    The term 'abusive behaviour'
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
    
    Who can apply for a DAPO
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
    
    Which court can grant a DAPO and in what circumstances
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
    
    The content of a DAPN and a DAPO
    
    DAPNs
    
    The home and the vicinity of it
    
    Contact, or attempted contact (including with a child)
    
    DAPOs
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
    
    The duration of a DAPN and a DAPO
    
    The duration of a DAPN
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
    
    The duration of a DAPO
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
    
    Breach of a DAPN/DAPO: a criminal offence
    
    Penalties for breach of a DAPN
    
    Penalties for breach of a DAPO
    
    For the most serious cases
    
    Other cases
    
    The Scottish Government's consultation
  - What's not in Part 1 of the Bill
    
    Statutory duty of referral to support services
    
    Exclusion orders
    
    Legal aid
- Part 2 of the Bill: a new power for social landlords
  - The policy background
    
    The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group
    
    The working group co-chaired by Scottish Women's Aid and the Chartered Institute of Housing
  - The existing law
    
    Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981, section 13
    
    Housing (Scotland) Act 2001
    
    Section 20 - notice to end an interest in a joint tenancy
    
    Ground 1 - ending a tenancy where there is a breach of a tenancy agreement
    
    Grounds 2, 7 and 8 - ending a tenancy based on the conduct of a tenant
    
    Ground 15 - ending a tenancy where one person no longer wishes to live with the other
  - Section 18 of the Bill - a new ground to end a tenancy where there has been abusive behaviour
    
    The notice period the landlord must give the tenant
    
    Other key features of section 18
Sources

Scottish Parliament. (2020, October 2). Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill: Policy Memorandum. SP Bill 84–PM. Retrieved from https://beta.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/current-bills/domestic-abuse-protection-scotland-bill/introduced/policy-memorandum-domestic-abuse-protection-scotland-bill.pdf

Scottish Government. (2020, July 31). Protective orders for people at risk of domestic abuse: consultation analysis. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/protective-orders-people-risk-domestic-abuse-analysis-consultation-responses/

Scottish Government. (2018, December). Consultation on Protective Orders for People at Risk of Domestic Abuse. Retrieved from https://consult.gov.scot/justice/people-at-risk-of-domestic-abuse/user_uploads/290884_sct1218171740-001_protective_p3.pdf

Scottish Parliament. (2020, October 2). Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill: Explanatory Notes. SP Bill 84–EN. Retrieved from https://beta.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/current-bills/domestic-abuse-protection-scotland-bill/introduced/explanatory-notes-domestic-abuse-protection-scotland-bill.pdf

Scottish Parliament. (2020, October 2). Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill: Financial Memorandum. SP Bill 84–FM. Retrieved from https://beta.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/current-bills/domestic-abuse-protection-scotland-bill/introduced/financial-memorandum-domestic-abuse-protection-scotland-bill.pdf

Justice Committee. (2017, October 31). Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2. Official Report, cols 21-45. Retrieved from http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11165

Scottish Government. (2017, November 6). Letter from Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice to Margaret Mitchell MSP, Convener of the Justice Committee. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/S5_JusticeCommittee/Inquiries/20171107CSfJtoMM.pdf

Scottish Government. (2020, September 1). Protecting Scotland, Renewing Scotland: The Government's Programme for Scotland 2020-2021, p 108. Retrieved from https://www.gov.scot/publications/protecting-scotland-renewing-scotland-governments-programme-scotland-2020-2021/

Police and Fire (Reform)(Scotland) Act 2012, section 18(1). (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2012/8/contents/enacted

Council of Europe. (2014, August 2014). Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/full-list/-/conventions/treaty/210

Logar, R., & Niemi, J. (2017). Emergency barring orders in situations of domestic violence: Article 52 of the Istanbul Convention, p 15. Retrieved from https://edoc.coe.int/en/violence-against-women/7426-emergency-barring-orders-in-situations-of-domestic-violence-article-52-of-the-istanbul-convention.html

UK Parliament. (2020, March 3). Domestic Abuse Bill (2019-2021), clauses 20(7), 36(7) and 78. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/58-01/124/5801124_en_1.html

Logar, R., & Niemi, J. (2017). Emergency barring orders in situations of domestic violence: Article 52 of the Istanbul Convention, p 22. Retrieved from https://edoc.coe.int/en/violence-against-women/7426-emergency-barring-orders-in-situations-of-domestic-violence-article-52-of-the-istanbul-convention.html

Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/15/contents/enacted

Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2020/9/enacted

Hughes, H. (2013). Know your Protection. Retrieved from http://www.journalonline.co.uk/Magazine/58-2/1012194.aspx

Protection from Harassment Act 1997, sections 8-11. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/contents

Protection from Harassment Act 1997, section 8A. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/section/8A

Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, schedule, para 9 inserting section 234AZA into the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2018/5/schedule/enacted

Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2018, schedule, para 9, inserting section 234AZA, para 9(3) and (4) into the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2018/5/schedule/enacted

Scottish Government. (2020, December 4). Email to SPICe [unpublished].

Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981, sections 14-17. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/59/contents

Civil Partnership Act 2004, sections 113-116. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/33/contents

Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006, section 31 inserting section 18A into the Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection) (Scotland) Act 1981. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2006/2/section/31

Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2011, sections 2-3. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/13/contents

Justice 1 Committee. (2005). Stage 1 Report on Family Law (Scotland) Bill. 8th Report, 2005 (Session 2), paras 71-77. Retrieved from https://archive.parliament.scot/business/committees/justice1/reports-05/j1r05-08-vol01-01.htm

Protection from Abuse (Scotland) Act 2001. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2001/14/contents

Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Act 2011, section 2. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/13/section/2

Matrimonial Homes (Family Protection)(Scotland) Act 1981, sections 4-5. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/59/contents

Scottish Government. (n.d.) Response from Police Scotland. Retrieved from https://consult.gov.scot/justice/people-at-risk-of-domestic-abuse/consultation/view_respondent?uuId=580237450

Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016, section 26 and schedule. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2016/1/contents

Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016, section 16 and schedule. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2016/1/contents/enacted

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, sections 23B-D. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/46/contents

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, section 23D. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/46/section/23D

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, section 24. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/46/section/24

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, section 27. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1995/46/section/27

Justice Committee. (2017, October 8). Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2 - written submission from Professor Mandy Burton, University of Leicester. Retrieved from https://www.parliament.scot/S5_JusticeCommittee/Inquiries/DA2Burton.pdf

Burton, M. (2017). Emergency Barring Orders in Domestic Violence Cases: what can England and Wales learn from other European Countries? Child and Family Law Quarterly, Vol 27, Issue 1, p 41.

UK Parliament. (2020, March 3). Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-21, clause 55. Retrieved from https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/domesticabuse.html

Crime and Security Act 2010, sections 24-33. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/17/contents

UK Parliament. (n.d.) Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-21. Retrieved from https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/domesticabuse.html

Crime and Security Act 2010, sections 25 and 27. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/17/contents

Crime and Security Act 2010, section 28. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/17/section/28

Kelly, L., Adler, J., Horvath, M., Lovett, J., Coulson, M., Kernohan, D., … Gray, M. (2013, November). Evaluation of the Pilot of Domestic Violence Protection Orders. Research Report No 76. Retrieved from https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/260897/horr76.pdf

Home Office. (2016). Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPO) One year on – Home Office assessment of national roll-out. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/506148/2016-03-08_DVPO_report_for_publication.pdf

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. (2017, November). A progress report on the police response to domestic abuse. Retrieved from https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/wp-content/uploads/progress-report-on-the-police-response-to-domestic-abuse.pdf

HM Government. (2018, March 8). Transforming the Response to Domestic Abuse: Government Consultation. Retrieved from https://consult.justice.gov.uk/homeoffice-moj/domestic-abuse-consultation-sign-version/supporting_documents/Transforming%20the%20response%20to%20domestic%20abuse.pdf#page=37

Lipscombe, S. (2020, April 23). Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-21. Retrieved from file:///C:/Users/s801059/Downloads/CBP-8787%20(13).pdf

Scottish Government. (2020, November 11). Email from the Scottish Government to SPICe [unpublished].

Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020, section 1, inserting section 5E and 5J into the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005. (n.d.)

Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, section 234ZA(4)(a). (n.d.)

Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020, section 1, inserting section 5B(3) into the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2020/9/section/1/enacted

Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011, section 2. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/15/section/2/enacted

UK Parliament. (n.d.) Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-21, clauses 24, 33 and 34. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/58-01/124/5801124_en_1.html

Protection from Harassment Act 1997, section 8(5). (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/section/8

UK Parliament. (n.d.) Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-21, clauses 23, 26 and 27. Retrieved from https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/domesticabuse.html

UK Parliament. (n.d.) Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-21, clause 36. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/58-01/124/5801124_en_4.html#pt3-pb2-l1g36

UK Parliament. (n.d.) Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-21, clause 24. Retrieved from https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/58-01/124/5801124_en_3.html#pt3-pb1-l1g24

UK Parliament. (2020, March 3). Domestic Abuse Bill 2019-21, clause 37.

Protection from Harassment Act 1997, section 9. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40/section/9

Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020, section 1, inserting section 5Q(7) into the Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Act 2005. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2020/9/section/1/enacted

Forced Marriage etc. (Protection and Jurisdiction) (Scotland) Act 2011, section 9. (n.d.) Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2011/15/section/9/enacted

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