Overview of the Act Part 1 – Arrest and Custody Code of practice about investigative function Section 57 – Code of practice about investigative functions
156.Section 57 requires the Lord Advocate to issue a code of practice on the matters set out in subsection (1) and to keep such a code of practice under review.
157.Section 57(3) sets out that the code will apply to the Police Service of Scotland and such other bodies specified in the code who report offences to the procurator fiscal.
158.Section 57(4) contains a requirement for the Lord Advocate to publicly consult on the code and subsection (5) identifies the persons or groups that the Lord Advocate is required to consult when preparing the code.
159.Section 57(6) obliges the Lord Advocate to lay a copy of the code of practice before the Scottish Parliament.
160.Section 57(7) and (8) contain provisions relating to the legal status of the code and the effect of a breach of the code of practice.