RaMPS and the Procurator Fiscal

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What are 'reparation' and 'mediation'?

Reparation:

is about making amends;
is a specific act agreed with a person who has been harmed and carried out by a person accused of causing the harm, (the accused) and
is a legally binding agreement approved by the procurator fiscal, the officer who prosecutes in criminal cases in local Scottish courts.

Mediation:

offers the person who has been harmed the opportunity to let the accused know how they feel about what has happened to them, and
is usually carried out through a third party, a member of our staff, but in certain situations and if everyone involved agrees, the person who has been harmed and the accused may meet.

What does it offer the person who has been harmed?

What does it offer the person who has been charged?

It offers the accused the opportunity to make amends and consider the effect his or her behaviour has had on others.

What are the advantages of reparation and mediation?

They are possible alternatives to court proceedings;
They allow the person who has been harmed to have a say and encourage the accused to accept and act on their responsibilities;
Prosecution is delayed until everyone has reached an agreement;
If the accused keeps to the agreement, the Procurator Fiscal will probably drop proceedings against them and
If they do not keep to the agreement, the case will probably go to court.

What if I don't want to take part in the service?

If both the person who has been harmed and the accused choose not to take part, then reparation and mediation will not take place and the case will pass back to the Procurator Fiscal and
If the person who has been harmed chooses not to be involved, or we feel it would not be in their best interests, but the accused still wants to deal with their behaviour, the accused can go on a victim-awareness programme and may carry out a reparative task as an outward gesture of making amends.

How will you contact me?

You will receive a letter from the Procurator Fiscal's office;
We will then write to you to offer you an appointment;
A worker from the RaMPS Service will meet with you to explain and discuss the options available to you and
You do not have to take part. It's your choice.

If you would like more information or advice, you can contact us in the following ways.