The Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill will also change the size of criminal juries from 15 to 12.
Proposed reforms to the justice system will see a major shake-up as the bill to abolish the third verdict has now been published, with a number of changes to the justice system outlined.
Ministers will also have the power to carry out a pilot of rape trials being conducted by a single judge without a jury.Last year, Nicola Sturgeon committed to abolishing the third verdict in the Scottish legal system. "This landmark legislation is among the most significant since devolution and will ensure fairness is cemented into the bedrock of Scotland's modern-day justice system.
"The majority are women, who must be supported to have trust and confidence that the processes of justice will serve their needs, allow them to give their best evidence and support them in their recovery."Earlier, the chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland welcomed plans to scrap the not proven verdict, saying she has "no doubt that guilty men are walking free".
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