Following the evidence. Questioning the process. Closing the loop.
Acquittal Case Watch is an independent public-interest series on After Not Guilty. It follows significant Scottish and UK judgments, inquiries, official reports and credible investigations concerning prosecutions, acquittals, disclosure, justice-system records and institutional accountability.
We publish when new evidence materially advances the discussion, not according to an arbitrary timetable. Our purpose is to examine how systems respond when information is missing, a prosecution fails, a judicial outcome changes or institutional shortcomings are identified.
Latest case report
YZ v HM Advocate — Eleven Disclosure Failures: What Was Actually Fixed?
5 November 2026 | Scotland | JIA-011 — The High Court set aside six convictions after a miscarriage of justice arising from disclosure failures. The Crown’s investigation identified eleven linked failings across police and prosecution processes. The report examines those findings and asks how corrective action can be verified.
Read the full evidence review →
How every case is assessed
- What happened? A sourced account of the relevant facts and procedural outcome.
- What was established? Judicial findings, official admissions and other evidence clearly separated from allegations.
- Why does it matter? The legal, administrative or policy implications.
- What is unresolved? Missing records, oversight questions, subsequent developments or unverified corrective action.
- What should change? Specific lessons for the Justice Information Audit and the proposed Scottish Post-Acquittal Standard.
Our editorial commitments
An acquittal does not by itself prove misconduct by prosecutors, police or witnesses. Equally, the conclusion of proceedings does not automatically establish that every administrative error was identified and resolved. We aim to represent both propositions fairly, respect the privacy and anonymity rights of those involved, link to primary sources wherever possible, and correct our own errors transparently.
We do not publish merely because a case is controversial. A development must add independently supportable information about legal safeguards, record accuracy, accountability, consequential harm or practical institutional improvement.
Connected research
Explore A Scottish Post-Acquittal Standard, The Orphaned Outcome, and Submissions, Evidence & Reform.
The paperwork may be complete. The failure may still be present.
Have a relevant judgment, report or correction? Send a message. Please do not submit identifying information about protected complainers or witnesses.
