Solicitor-General Harriet Harman QC met her Scottish counterpart this week for the first in a series of talks aimed at identifying what the criminal justice systems in the two jurisdictions can learn from each other.

Ms Harman joined Elish Angiolini QC in Edinburgh to tackle the challenges involved in the investigation and prosecution of rape and sexual offences.


The meeting brought together lawyers from the Crown Prosecution Service, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. It focused on improving support for victims and on improving the early collection and preservation of evidence.


Ms Harman told the Gazette that homicide laws and the recovery of assets from the proceeds of crime, would be on the agenda in future.


'At present, we have a pre-occupation with securing a conviction, but it is also important that the right order is made on confiscation to prevent future offences, so we can . turn convictions into cash.'