On 22 June 2023 the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament. During its passage through Parliament much of the debate had focused on the proposed change to the ‘bail test’ which was opposed by victims’ groups and others. The Lord President advised that this would make the process cumbersome with no discernible difference to outcomes.  This view become stronger as the debate progressed. We had previously engaged extensively with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, MSPs from all parties and policy teams regarding this legislation in the hope that, in particular, it could address Scotland's disproportionately high rates of remand.