What the functions and terms of reference are of the Quality and Practice Review Unit of the Crown Office/Procurator Fiscal Service; what a…

The functions and remit of the Quality and Practice Review Unit are described in the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service Annual Report 1999-2000, which was circulated to all members of the Scottish Parliament. The Quality and Practice Review Unit was established to enable the Department to complete a rolling programme of Reviews of individual Offices or Crown Office Units (Office Reviews) and cross Departmental Reviews of particular topics or areas of work (Thematic Reviews). The overall purpose of the Quality and Practice Review Unit is to contribute to the improvement of the quality of work of the Department and to promote and maintain public confidence in its work.The Remit of the Quality and Practice Review Unit is to report to the Crown Agent on the quality of professional practice in the Department including decisions in cases, outcomes, and processes and other aspects of performance; to identify and promote good practice; to assist with the development of performance indicators; and where approved by the Crown Agent, to work with other agencies to improve the quality of service and the efficiency and effectiveness of the wider criminal justice system.The Quality and Practice Review Unit is directly accountable to the Crown Agent and acts independently of the management regime within the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service. The Quality and Practice Review Unit has the authority of the Lord Advocate and Crown Agent to access all papers, files and computer records and to interview any member of Staff of the Department and Crown Counsel in connection with their work, subject to the limits of the Remit (general or specific) for that Review.