Mr Eamon Keane’s work cited and approved in Judicial Led Review of Sexual Offences Trials in Scotland
Tue 20 April 2021
A report co-authored by Eamon Keane, has been cited and approved in a review of sexual offences cases in Scotland, led by the Lord Justice-Clerk, Lady Dorrian.
The report, written with Tony Convery, argues that independent legal representation should be introduced for complainers, at hearings to determine whether evidence of their character or sexual history evidence should be admitted at trial in Scotland. The work was published followed time spent in Ireland in 2019, examining a similar right of representation in operation there.
The review group, which featured Scottish judges, and representatives of the Crown, defence and victims’ organisations, unanimously agreed with the conclusions of the report, and endorsed its recommendations. Several Scottish political parties have now also undertaken to consider implementing the Dorrian Review’s conclusions, if elected in the upcoming May elections for the Scottish Parliament. To date, the report has also been referenced in work undertaken by the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland (led by Professor Sharon Cowan), the Scottish Government, & Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland.
- Read the report and a watch a recording of a lecture discussing the report: Report: Right to Independent Legal Representation for Sexual Offences Complainers
- The Dorrian Review: SCTS News - Improving the Management of Sexual Offence Cases
View Eamon Keane’s academic profile.