The Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Bill receives Royal Assent

Date: 25th June 2019
Category: General measures of implementation, General principles, Civil Rights and Freedoms, Disability, Basic Health and Welfare

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The Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Bill received royal assent on the 11th June 2019. The (now) Act will increase the minimum age at which a child can be found criminally responsible from 8, the lowest in Europe, to 12 years old.

Whilst a welcome first step, the Act falls short of new guidance from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, and guidance from the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights. Both recommend that the minimum age of criminal responsibility should be at least 14 years old.

• Read more about Together's position, including our consultation responses, here.
• Access the Act here.
• Follow progress on the Act, including its entry into force here