Sudden Deaths and Fatal Accident Inquiries in Scotland: Law, Policy and Practice

Préface
This new text provides a contemporary and fresh insight into the unique Scottish system for investigation into sudden deaths, the role of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAIs).

Auteur
Gillian Mawdsley is a Scottish practising solicitor, currently teaching at the Open University, Edinburgh University and Strathclyde University. Her professional background spans public sector policy work. She worked within Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (as a Procurator Fiscal Depute for nearly 20 years), which included undertaking FAIs.

Texte du rabat

Sudden Deaths and Fatal Accident Inquiries in Scotland: Law, Policy and Practice considers the unique Scottish system of sudden deaths investigations leading to Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAIs). This book explains the role of the Lord Advocate and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) as core to the death investigation process. It examines the reporting of sudden deaths, COPFS's investigation process, and the holding of mandatory and discretionary FAIs, concluding with issuing of determinations and recommendations. The historical development of the FAI system charts their inception from the late nineteenth century to the FAIs held under the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths (Scotland) etc. Act 2016 (2016 Act). This new title: - Examines the FAI process from the sudden deaths to the holding of an FAI - Contrasts the FAIs with inquiries held under the Inquiries Act 2005 - Analyses how the 2016 Act works given current issues of delay and Covid-19 - Considers the judiciary's role relating to FAI determinations and recommendations made under the 2016 Act - Focuses on mandatory FAIs relating to deaths in custody - Compares the FAI process in Scotland with England and Wales and provides a brief international overview - Considers the State's requirements under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights - Discusses availability of public information on FAIs and access to legal aid - Advises how the public may access FAI records This first comprehensive survey takes account of changes made by the 2016 Act, providing fresh insight into the investigations into sudden deaths and the holding of FAIs. It provides an essential basis to understand and assess the current working practices of the FAI system. This title is included in Bloomsbury Professional's Scottish Law Service.

Contenu
Introduction PART 1 SUDDEN DEATHS AND FATAL ACCIDENT INQUIRIES Chapter 1 Sudden Death Chapter 2 Background and History of FAIs Chapter 3 Purpose of FAIs Chapter 4 Legislation - 2016 Act Chapter 5 Systematic Process of FAI Chapter 6 Conduct of the Inquiry Chapter 6 Post Inquiry PART 2 POLICY OF FAIs AND SPECIFIC FAIs Chapter 7 Analysis of the role of FAIs Chapter 8 International Perspective Chapter 9 Deaths in Custody Chapter 10 Deaths during employment/workplace Chapter 11 Medical Deaths Chapter 12 Important FAIs - Clutha/Lockerbie/Dunblane Chapter 13 The Future Chapter 14 Conclusions APPENDIX 1 Miscellaneous Forms and Reports APPENDIX 2 Examples of FAIs in Scotland since 1895