Frequently asked questions

A public inquiry is set up to investigate a matter of public concern. Public inquiries are initiated by ministers but once formally set up their investigation and work is independent of government. 

Inquiries are overseen by a Chair, often a judge, appointed by ministers to fulfill the terms of reference. The Chair is required by law to be impartial. Unlike court proceedings, which take an adversarial approach, public inquiries are inquisitorial in nature. This is an important distinction: in inquisitorial proceedings the Chair leads the investigation to ascertain findings of fact.  

The focus of a public inquiry is to investigate what happened and work out what can be done to prevent similar events taking place in future.  Public inquiries are not permitted to make findings of criminal or civil liability. 

The Emma Caldwell Inquiry is chaired by the The Hon. Lord Scott (John Scott), a high court judge. His appointment to the Inquiry was announced in April 2025 by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice. 

You can read more about Lord Scott here.

The focus of the Inquiry is the investigation carried out by Strathclyde Police, under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, into the murder of Emma Caldwell. 

The full terms of reference can be found here.  

From its commencement on 9 December 2025, the Inquiry can begin to consider evidence. The Inquiry legal team will begin the process of gathering evidence from the material providers.  

That evidence is reviewed and investigated by the Inquiry legal team and Counsel to the Inquiry. In parallel to this, the administrative side of the Inquiry, the Secretariat, is securing and preparing premises to allow for the holding and broadcasting of hearings. Once ready, the Inquiry will hold public hearings and call witnesses to give evidence.   

Following completion of hearings, all the evidence will be considered and a final report and recommendations prepared by the Chair and sent to Scottish Ministers. A record of the Inquiry will be transferred to the National Records of Scotland.   

The length of the Inquiry depends on a number of factors, including the volume of evidence the Inquiry needs to consider, as well as the number of witnesses called to give evidence. It’s not possible at this stage to say how long the Inquiry will take but the Chair and the team is committed to completing the process as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

Information about timings and venue will be published on this website at a later date. 

Once timings for hearings are finalised members of the public will be able to apply to attend. You will also be able to stream hearings on the website via the Inquiry YouTube channel. Archive hearings will be available to watch. All information on hearings will be published on this website. 

Where an individual, group or organisation has a significant interest in the Inquiry, the Chair may designate them as a core participant. The process and criteria for applying to be a core participant, as well as examples of how they may take part in proceedings is set out here.  Please note you do not need to be a core participant to participate in the Inquiry.  

Once core participants have been designated by the Chair a full list will be published on this website.

It’s not possible to say at this time how much the Inquiry will cost. Inquiry expenditure is published quarterly on the website.

Public Inquiries do not come under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. The Inquiry will, however, be as open and transparent as possible. You’ll be able to keep up to date with developments and view hearings on this website.