About Accused.scot
Accused.scot publishes source-led analysis of Scottish criminal justice procedure, evidential rules, and the principles that are supposed to govern a fair trial. It is independent, non-commercial, and not affiliated with any political party, legal practice, or media organisation.
Why this site exists
Public understanding of criminal justice is largely shaped by allegation rather than evidence, by outcome rather than process, and by narrative rather than procedure.
In Scotland, some of the most consequential parts of the criminal trial — how evidence is filtered before it reaches a jury, how admissibility decisions are made, how disclosure obligations are interpreted — operate with very little public scrutiny. The rules exist. The decisions are made. But the reasoning is rarely explained in terms that anyone outside the courtroom can examine.
Accused.scot exists to examine that gap. The focus is on how procedure and evidence actually operate in practice, and on what happens when they do not operate as they should. That includes analysis of specific legal mechanisms, examination of Freedom of Information material obtained from Scottish public bodies, and commentary on how cases and systemic issues are reported and understood.
What you will find here
- Analysis of Scottish criminal procedure and evidential rules, including Section 274 and Section 275 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995
- Freedom of Information requests submitted to Scottish public bodies, with analysis of what the responses reveal
- Commentary on appeals, wrongful conviction, and how cases are tested after conviction — including coverage of the Daly and Keir appeals
- Examination of how institutional language, data recording, and public narrative shape understanding of fairness in the justice system
The aim is clarity. Where possible, material is grounded in identifiable sources — statute, case law, official publications, and lawfully obtained records — and explained in a way that can be followed without specialist legal knowledge.
Scope and focus
The site is focused on Scotland. It does not attempt to cover every case or every issue. Instead, it concentrates on areas where procedure, evidence, and public narrative intersect in ways that may affect fairness — particularly where those intersections are not well understood outside the courtroom.
What this site does not do
Accused.scot does not offer legal advice, representation, or case-specific guidance. It is an analysis and commentary publication. Anyone seeking advice about a legal matter should consult a qualified Scottish solicitor.
The site does not seek to determine the guilt or innocence of individuals. Its concern is whether legal processes operate fairly and whether evidence is properly examined.