Death by Driving Committee
Remit and terms of reference
The Death by Driving Working Group Committee will support the Scottish Sentencing Council in its preparation of a sentencing guideline on death by driving offences.
The Committee will oversee all aspects of the development of the guideline until submission to the High Court and will give consideration thereafter to ongoing monitoring of the guideline. The Council will specify the expected lifetime of the committee. This may be reviewed and, if appropriate, amended by the Council during the committee’s lifetime. The Committee’s work will include, in particular:
- making recommendations to the Council as to its scope, content and approach
- identifying knowledge and information gaps relevant to the guideline’s development, submitting any proposals for research to the Research Committee
- reviewing draft guidelines prepared by the Secretariat, providing advice and direction as required while having regard to any guideline methodology and drafting style agreed by the Council
- supporting engagement with relevant stakeholders at all stages of the guideline’s development
- overseeing the judicial and public consultation process, including the preparation of consultation documents and impact assessments
The Committee will report regularly to the Council on the progress of guideline development, making recommendations and, where appropriate, referring significant or potentially controversial decisions to the Council.
Current Members
The Right Hon. Lord Matthews
Chair
Lord Matthews will hold office until November 2025.
Lord Matthews is the Senator member of the Council.
Sheriff David Harvie
Advisor
Sheriff Harvie was appointed as an advisor to the Death by Driving Committee in October 2021.
Sheriff Harvie was the Council's Prosecutor member. Sheriff Harvie sits on the Death by Driving Committee as an advisor by invitation of the Council.
Sheriff Norman McFadyen
Advisor
Sheriff McFadyen was appointed as an advisor to the Death by Driving Committee in December 2020.
Sheriff McFadyen was the Council's Sheriff member. Sheriff McFadyen sits on the Death by Driving Committee as an advisor by invitation of the Council.