How to talk about gender-based crime to victims and survivors
The Lord Advocate’s References and the new Prosecution Code
Date: Thursday 3 December 2026,
Time: 10am to midday
Where: Online via Microsoft Teams
In this session, Pete McClelland, Procurator Fiscal for the Lord Advocate’s References Implementation, will discuss the changes to the Prosecution Code and what they mean for victims of gender-based crime.
Attendees will find out more about:
- what can be considered corroborative evidence
- how distress observed soon after a crime can corroborate an account of rape
- how different statements are weighed up as evidence
- what other evidence is considered when a complaint is made
- how decisions are made about whether to proceed with a prosecution
- how professionals can apply this information when supporting people
Speaker biography: Pete McClelland
Pete started work as a solicitor in private practice in 1988. He joined the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in 2001. Since then he has worked in many procurator fiscal offices across Scotland.
In 2014, Pete was seconded to Lord Bonomy’s independent judge-led review into corroboration.
In 2024, Pete was appointed lead for implementing the decisions in the Lord Advocate’s References and developing the new Prosecution Code and test. In October 2026, he moved to the High Court Sexual Offences Team.
Pete gained rights of audience in the High Court of Justiciary in 2003. He gained the Diploma in Forensic Medical Sciences at Glasgow University in 2005. He qualified as a National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA) trainer in 2007.
He is currently the advocacy training lead for COPFS and has delivered this training for almost 20 years. Pete is also one of the COPFS leads on equality work.
How to sign up for this session
Council employees sign up on MyLearning Hub.
If you do not work for us sign up using Microsoft forms.