Holyrood justice committee calls for evidence ahead of considering FAI bill

The bill’s policy objective is to reform and modernise the law governing the holding of fatal accident inquiries (FAIs) in Scotland, and to implement recommendations made in the 2009 Review of the Fatal Accident Inquiry Legislation led by Lord Cullen.

Among other things, the bill aims to enact new provisions to modernise the system of FAIs in Scotland, to extend the categories of death in which it is mandatory to hold an FAI, and permit discretionary FAIs into deaths of Scots abroad where the body is repatriated to Scotland.

Calling on interested organisations and individuals to give their views on the proposed legislation, Justice committee convener Christine Grahame MSPsaid: “This bill aims to modernise and improve the system of FAIs in Scotland, through measures that respond to recommendations made by Lord Cullen.

“All proposed legislation should be subject to careful and considered scrutiny and that is especially important when it comes to issues of life and death.

“That is why we are asking for those with an interest in this subject to give us their views and to help ensure the Committee is properly prepared ahead of the Stage 1 process in May.”