28.Section 4 contains more detail about the engagement which the Commissioner is obliged to carry out, as part of the general function, with victims, witnesses, and persons providing support to victims. Subsection (1) allows the Commissioner to establish groups through which to carry out engagement. Separately, it imposes on the Commissioner a duty to pay particular attention to groups of victims and witnesses who do not have other ways of interacting with the criminal justice process. Subsection (2) requires the Commissioner to prepare a strategy setting out how they will carry out the duty of engagement, and to review this to ensure it remains up to date.
29.Section 5 provides for the establishment of an advisory group, at the discretion of the Commissioner. The Commissioner is empowered, by subsection (2), to appoint the members of such a group, and under subsection (3) to pay remuneration and expenses to those members. The Commissioner requires the approval of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body for the appointment and payment of members of any such advisory group.
Crown Application Functions and powers Sections 4 and 5 – engagement, and advisory group