Justice Committee in Oslo for fact-finding visit on Vulnerable Witnesses Bill
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Margaret Mitchell
The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee is undertaking a fact-finding visit to Oslo as part of inquiries into police and fire reform and the Vulnerable Witnesses Bill, giving MSPs an international perspective on subjects they are currently scrutinising.
Like Scotland, Norway also recently reformed its police service. And measures proposed by the Scottish government to help vulnerable witnesses, such as the Barnehus (or Children’s House) model, have already been adopted in Norway.
The committee will meet with Justice Minister Knut Morten Johansen, the Deputy Chief of Police, Eva Sjøholt-Sandvik, senior officials, and visit a Barnehus.
Speaking ahead of the visit, committee convener Margaret Mitchell MSP said: “Learning from experiences in other parts of the world helps lawmakers to see the bigger picture. It provides a valuable opportunity and a sensible way to consider possible changes.
“Similar developments in Norway’s justice system, in both policing and how vulnerable witnesses give criminal evidence, mean that there is much to learn from them.
“Scotland and its legal system have unique characteristics which must be considered. However, the Justice Committee hopes to bring back valuable information that can be taken into account here.”
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