OpenLegislation

Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020

2020 asp 13 · Enacted 14 July 2020 · Extends to Scotland

Not fully up to date. 6 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 1 April 2026.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
sch. 3 para. 31(1)words repealedChildren (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 sch. para. 25(2)(a)(i)
sch. 3 para. 20words repealedChildren (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 sch. para. 25(2)(a)(ii)
sch. 3 para. 21words repealedChildren (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 sch. para. 25(2)(a)(iii)
sch. 3 para. 31words substitutedChildren (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 sch. para. 25(2)(b)
sch. 1 para. 43A-43C and cross-headinginsertedRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 sch. 3 para. 46(2)(a)
sch. 1 para. 60 and cross-headingrepealedRegulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 sch. 3 para. 46(2)(b)

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to restate and amend the law relating to the disclosure of criminal history and other information by the Scottish Ministers; to make amendments to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007; and for connected purposes.

The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 10th June 2020 and received Royal Assent on 14th July 2020

Contents

  1. Part 1: Disclosure of criminal history and other information
  2. Level 1 disclosures
  3. 1Level 1 disclosure
  4. 2Provision of Level 1 disclosures
  5. 3Applications by accredited bodies on behalf of individuals
  6. 4Provision of Level 1 disclosure to third parties
  7. Level 1 disclosures: review applications
  8. 5Level 1 disclosure: application for review
  9. 6Review of accuracy of information by the Scottish Ministers
  10. 7Provision of new Level 1 disclosure on conclusion of review proceedings
  11. Level 2 disclosures
  12. 8Level 2 disclosure
  13. 9Non-disclosable convictions
  14. 10Non-disclosable children's hearing outcomes
  15. 11Provision of Level 2 disclosures
  16. 12Level 2 disclosure applications: countersigning and purposes
  17. 13Childhood information
  18. 14Provision of relevant Scottish police information
  19. 14AProvision of relevant UK police etc. information
  20. 15Provision of relevant overseas police information
  21. 16Further information for certain purposes: non-PVG scheme members
  22. 17Further information for certain purposes: PVG scheme members
  23. 18Provision of Level 2 disclosure to accredited bodies
  24. 19Crown employment
  25. Level 2 disclosures: review applications
  26. 20Level 2 disclosure: application for review
  27. 21Review of accuracy of information by the Scottish Ministers
  28. 22Review of childhood information by the independent reviewer
  29. 23Review of relevant police etc. information by the provider
  30. 24Review of relevant police etc. information by the independent reviewer
  31. 25Review of inclusion of removable convictions by the Scottish Ministers
  32. 26Review of inclusion of removable convictions by the independent reviewer
  33. 27Combination of reviews by the independent reviewer
  34. 28Independent reviewer: information and representations
  35. 29Notification of independent reviewer's decision
  36. 30Appeal against independent reviewer's decision
  37. 31Provision of new Level 2 disclosure on conclusion of review proceedings
  38. 32Disapplication of provisions of section 4 of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
  39. Level 2 disclosures: considering relevance and whether to include information
  40. 33Level 2 disclosure: considering relevance and whether to include certain information
  41. Common provisions relating to Level 1 and Level 2 disclosures
  42. 34Form and manner of provision of disclosures
  43. 35Reclassification of applications
  44. 36Regulations about procedure for disclosure requests
  45. 37Regulations about review procedure
  46. 38Power to modify definitions of Level 1 disclosure and Level 2 disclosure
  47. 39Childhood information: power to modify other enactments
  48. 40Presumption as to age in relation to convictions
  49. Offences relating to Level 1 and Level 2 disclosures
  50. 41Falsification of a Level 1 or Level 2 disclosure
  51. 42Unlawful disclosure of a Level 2 disclosure
  52. 43Lawful disclosures of Level 2 disclosures
  53. 44Unlawful request for and use of a Level 2 disclosure
  54. 45Offences under sections 42 and 44: supplementary provision
  55. Accredited bodies
  56. 46Register of accredited bodies
  57. 47Registration in the register of accredited bodies
  58. 48Protection of information: removal of registration
  59. 49Suitable persons to have access to disclosure information
  60. 50Removal of registration on other grounds
  61. 51Lead signatories and countersignatories
  62. 52Lead signatories and countersignatories: acceptance or refusal of nomination and removal from the register
  63. 53Notification and review of decisions: removal from register or refusal of registration or nomination
  64. 54Regulations about registration
  65. 55Code of practice
  66. 56Sharing of Level 2 disclosure information by accredited bodies
  67. Evidence of identity
  68. 57Evidence of identity
  69. 58Power to use personal data to check identity
  70. 59Power to use fingerprints to check identity
  71. General
  72. 60Form and manner of applications and notices
  73. 61Fees
  74. 62Fees for provision of information by the chief constable
  75. 63Guidance for chief constable
  76. 64Sharing of information with the chief constable
  77. 65Sources of information
  78. 66Delegation of functions of Scottish Ministers
  79. 67Saving: disclosure of information and records
  80. 68Definition of consideration of suitability
  81. 69Interpretation of Part 1
  82. Part 2: Protection of vulnerable groups
  83. Scheme membership
  84. 70Participation in Scheme
  85. 71Duration of Scheme membership
  86. 72Failure to apply for renewal of Scheme membership
  87. 73Compulsory Scheme membership
  88. Regulated roles
  89. 74Regulated roles
  90. 75Meaning of “protected adult”
  91. Scheme members under consideration for listing
  92. 76Conditions imposed on scheme members under consideration for listing Not yet in force
  93. 77Notice of consideration for listing
  94. 78Withdrawal from Scheme when under consideration for listing
  95. Notice of barred status
  96. 79Notice of barred status
  97. Listing
  98. 80Reference by chief constable
  99. 81Removal of references by court
  100. 82Reference by councils or integration joint boards
  101. 83Application for removal from list
  102. 84Ministers' powers to remove from list
  103. 85Appeals and removals: information power
  104. Confirmation of PVG Scheme membership
  105. 86Confirmation of scheme membership under the PVG Act
  106. Miscellaneous
  107. 87Retention of scheme records after removal
  108. 88Offences outside Scotland
  109. 89Guidance for chief constable
  110. 90Meaning of “conviction”
  111. Part 3: General
  112. 91Regulations
  113. 92Ancillary provision
  114. 93Consequential and minor modifications
  115. 94Individual culpability where organisation commits offence
  116. 95Meaning of “the PVG Act”
  117. 96Crown application
  118. 97Commencement
  119. 98Short title
  120. Schedule 1: List A offences
  121. Part 1: Common law offences
  122. 1Paragraph 1
  123. 2Paragraph 2
  124. 3Paragraph 3
  125. 4Paragraph 4
  126. 5Paragraph 5
  127. 6Paragraph 6
  128. 7Paragraph 7
  129. 8Paragraph 8
  130. 9Paragraph 9
  131. 10Paragraph 10
  132. 11Paragraph 11
  133. 12Paragraph 12
  134. 13Paragraph 13
  135. 14Paragraph 14
  136. 14AParagraph 14A
  137. 15Paragraph 15
  138. 16Paragraph 16
  139. 17Paragraph 17
  140. 17AParagraph 17A
  141. 17BParagraph 17B
  142. 18Paragraph 18
  143. Part 2: Statutory offences
  144. Armed forces
  145. 19Paragraph 19
  146. Bribery
  147. 20Paragraph 20
  148. Children
  149. 21Paragraph 21
  150. Computer misuse
  151. 22Paragraph 22
  152. Domestic abuse
  153. 23Paragraph 23
  154. 24Paragraph 24
  155. 25Paragraph 25
  156. 25AParagraph 25A
  157. Explosives
  158. 26Paragraph 26
  159. False statements and declarations
  160. 27Paragraph 27
  161. Firearms and other weapons
  162. 28Paragraph 28
  163. 29Paragraph 29
  164. 30Paragraph 30
  165. 31Paragraph 31
  166. Forced marriage
  167. 32Paragraph 32
  168. 33Paragraph 33
  169. Fraud and forgery
  170. 34Paragraph 34
  171. Harassment
  172. 35Paragraph 35
  173. 36Paragraph 36
  174. Health
  175. 36AParagraph 36A
  176. Human trafficking and exploitation
  177. 37Paragraph 37
  178. 38Paragraph 38
  179. 39Paragraph 39
  180. 40Paragraph 40
  181. 41Paragraph 41
  182. 42Paragraph 42
  183. Insolvency
  184. 43Paragraph 43
  185. Medical professions etc.
  186. 44Paragraph 44
  187. 45Paragraph 45
  188. 45AParagraph 45A
  189. 45BParagraph 45B
  190. 45CParagraph 45C
  191. 45DParagraph 45D
  192. 45EParagraph 45E
  193. 45FParagraph 45F
  194. 46Paragraph 46
  195. 46AParagraph 46A
  196. Medicines
  197. 47Paragraph 47
  198. National Security and Official Secrets Acts
  199. 47AParagraph 47A
  200. 47BParagraph 47B
  201. 47CParagraph 47C
  202. 47DParagraph 47D
  203. Proceeds of crime and money laundering
  204. 48Paragraph 48
  205. Prostitution
  206. 49Paragraph 49
  207. Road traffic
  208. 50Paragraph 50
  209. 50AParagraph 50A
  210. Serious organised crime
  211. 51Paragraph 51
  212. Sexual offences
  213. 52Paragraph 52
  214. 53Paragraph 53
  215. 54Paragraph 54
  216. 55Paragraph 55
  217. 56Paragraph 56
  218. 57Paragraph 57
  219. 58Paragraph 58
  220. 59Paragraph 59
  221. Solicitors
  222. 60Paragraph 60
  223. Stalking and harassment
  224. 61Paragraph 61
  225. 62Paragraph 62
  226. 62AParagraph 62A
  227. Taxation
  228. 63Paragraph 63
  229. Terrorism
  230. 64Paragraph 64
  231. 65Paragraph 65
  232. 66Paragraph 66
  233. 67Paragraph 67
  234. Violent offender orders
  235. 68Paragraph 68
  236. Vulnerable persons
  237. 69Paragraph 69
  238. 70Paragraph 70
  239. 71Paragraph 71
  240. 72Paragraph 72
  241. 73Paragraph 73
  242. Witness protection
  243. 74Paragraph 74
  244. Miscellaneous statutory offences
  245. 74AParagraph 74A
  246. Statutory aggravations
  247. 75Paragraph 75
  248. Part 3: Other
  249. Common law aggravations
  250. 76Paragraph 76
  251. 77Paragraph 77
  252. 77AParagraph 77A
  253. Inchoate offences
  254. 78Paragraph 78
  255. 79Paragraph 79
  256. Superseded offences
  257. 80Paragraph 80
  258. Combined offences
  259. 81Paragraph 81
  260. Corresponding offences elsewhere in the UK or abroad
  261. 82Paragraph 82
  262. Schedule 2: List B offences
  263. Part 1: Common law offences
  264. 1Paragraph 1
  265. 2Paragraph 2
  266. 3Paragraph 3
  267. 4Paragraph 4
  268. 4AParagraph 4A
  269. 4BParagraph 4B
  270. 5Paragraph 5
  271. 6Paragraph 6
  272. 7Paragraph 7
  273. 8Paragraph 8
  274. 9Paragraph 9 Repealed
  275. 9AParagraph 9A
  276. 10Paragraph 10
  277. 11Paragraph 11
  278. 12Paragraph 12
  279. 13Paragraph 13
  280. 14Paragraph 14 Repealed
  281. 15Paragraph 15
  282. 16Paragraph 16
  283. 17Paragraph 17
  284. 18Paragraph 18
  285. Part 2: Statutory offences
  286. Adult support and protection
  287. 19Paragraph 19
  288. Armed forces
  289. 20Paragraph 20
  290. Assaulting or hindering public officials
  291. 21Paragraph 21
  292. 22Paragraph 22
  293. 23Paragraph 23
  294. 24Paragraph 24
  295. 25Paragraph 25
  296. Aviation, maritime and spaceflight
  297. 26Paragraph 26
  298. 27Paragraph 27
  299. 28Paragraph 28
  300. 29Paragraph 29
  301. 30Paragraph 30
  302. Care services
  303. 31Paragraph 31
  304. 32Paragraph 32
  305. 33Paragraph 33
  306. 34Paragraph 34
  307. Charities
  308. 35Paragraph 35
  309. Child Support
  310. 36Paragraph 36
  311. Children
  312. 37Paragraph 37
  313. Computer misuse
  314. 38Paragraph 38
  315. Crossbows
  316. 39Paragraph 39
  317. Drugs
  318. 40Paragraph 40
  319. 41Paragraph 41
  320. 42Paragraph 42
  321. 43Paragraph 43
  322. Escape from custody etc.
  323. 44Paragraph 44
  324. 45Paragraph 45
  325. Financial services
  326. 46Paragraph 46
  327. 47Paragraph 47
  328. Fire safety
  329. 48Paragraph 48
  330. Firearms
  331. 49Paragraph 49
  332. 50Paragraph 50
  333. 51Paragraph 51
  334. 52Paragraph 52
  335. 53Paragraph 53
  336. Food safety and standards
  337. 54Paragraph 54
  338. 55Paragraph 55
  339. Fraud and forgery
  340. 56Paragraph 56
  341. 57Paragraph 57
  342. 58Paragraph 58
  343. 59Paragraph 59
  344. 60Paragraph 60
  345. 61Paragraph 61
  346. Immigration etc.
  347. 62Paragraph 62
  348. 63Paragraph 63
  349. 64Paragraph 64
  350. Insolvency
  351. 65Paragraph 65
  352. Landmines
  353. 66Paragraph 66
  354. Lasers
  355. 67Paragraph 67
  356. Medicines
  357. 68Paragraph 68
  358. 69Paragraph 69
  359. Mental health
  360. 70Paragraph 70
  361. ...
  362. 70AParagraph 70A Repealed
  363. Neglect of duty
  364. 71Paragraph 71
  365. 72Paragraph 72
  366. Obscene material etc.
  367. 73Paragraph 73
  368. 74Paragraph 74
  369. 75Paragraph 75
  370. 76Paragraph 76
  371. Offences in relation to children
  372. 77Paragraph 77
  373. 78Paragraph 78
  374. 79Paragraph 79
  375. 80Paragraph 80
  376. 81Paragraph 81
  377. 81AParagraph 81A
  378. Offensive weapons
  379. 82Paragraph 82
  380. 83Paragraph 83
  381. 84Paragraph 84
  382. 85Paragraph 85
  383. 86Paragraph 86
  384. 86AParagraph 86A
  385. ...
  386. 87Paragraph 87 Repealed
  387. 88Paragraph 88 Repealed
  388. 89Paragraph 89 Repealed
  389. Proceeds of crime and money laundering
  390. 90Paragraph 90
  391. 91Paragraph 91
  392. 92Paragraph 92
  393. Prostitution
  394. 93Paragraph 93
  395. Public order
  396. 94Paragraph 94
  397. 95Paragraph 95
  398. 95AParagraph 95A
  399. Road traffic
  400. 96Paragraph 96
  401. Sexual offences
  402. 97Paragraph 97
  403. Terrorism
  404. 98Paragraph 98
  405. Threatening or abusive behaviour
  406. 99Paragraph 99
  407. Treason
  408. 99AParagraph 99A
  409. 99BParagraph 99B
  410. 99CParagraph 99C
  411. Miscellaneous statutory offences
  412. 100Paragraph 100
  413. 101Paragraph 101
  414. 101AParagraph 101A
  415. 102Paragraph 102
  416. 103Paragraph 103
  417. 103AParagraph 103A
  418. Statutory aggravations
  419. 104Paragraph 104
  420. 105Paragraph 105
  421. Part 3: Other
  422. Common law aggravations
  423. 106Paragraph 106
  424. 107Paragraph 107
  425. 107AParagraph 107A
  426. Inchoate offences
  427. 108Paragraph 108
  428. 109Paragraph 109
  429. Superseded offences
  430. 110Paragraph 110
  431. Combined offences
  432. 111Paragraph 111
  433. Corresponding offences elsewhere in the UK or abroad
  434. 112Paragraph 112
  435. Schedule 3: Schedule to be substituted for Schedule 2 of the PVG Act
  436. Paragraph
  437. Schedule 4: Schedule to be substituted for Schedule 3 of the PVG Act
  438. Paragraph
  439. Schedule 5: Consequential and minor modifications
  440. Part 1: Modifications of enactments in consequence of Part 1
  441. Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960
  442. 1Paragraph 1
  443. Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974
  444. 2Paragraph 2
  445. Police Act 1997
  446. 3Paragraph 3
  447. Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004
  448. 4Paragraph 4
  449. Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
  450. 5Paragraph 5
  451. Housing (Scotland) Act 2014
  452. 6Paragraph 6
  453. Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019
  454. 7Paragraph 7
  455. Part 2: Modifications of enactments in consequence of Part 2
  456. Education (Scotland) Act 1980
  457. 8Paragraph 8
  458. Foster Children (Scotland) Act 1984
  459. 9Paragraph 9
  460. Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
  461. 10Paragraph 10
  462. Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019
  463. 11Paragraph 11
  464. Part 3: Other consequential and minor modifications
  465. Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007
  466. 12Paragraph 12
  467. Children's Hearings (Scotland) Act 2011
  468. 13Paragraph 13