A SCHEME giving people the right to know if their partner has a history of domestic violence is to be piloted in Scotland, the country's chief constable has announced.

The disclosure programme, known as Clare's Law, allows individuals to request a check to find out if their partner has an abusive past.

It is named after Clare Wood, who was murdered five years ago by her ex-boyfriend at her home in Salford, Greater Manchester.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Stephen House made the announcement at Hampden Park, Glasgow, at the Crown Office domestic abuse conference.

Mr House said the force would work towards launching a multi-agency pilot disclosure scheme to allow the violent pasts of individuals to be uncovered.

It came as the country's second most senior law officer, Lesley Thomson, QC, called for the legislation on domestic abuse to be modernised.

As the Evening Times reported yesterday, the Solicitor General wants to introduce specialist legislation that would take into account the behaviour and patterns of abuse that are not currently within the criminal law. Campaigners have welcomed the calls, but say there is still more to be done to support domestic abuse victims through the courts process.

It is hoped that by bringing in new legislation covering coercive control - which causes damaging emotional abuse - it can be put before the courts in the same way that incidents of physical assaults currently are.

Anne Marie Hicks, national prosecutor for domestic abuse, said it would allow victims to "tell their story".

Lily Greenan, of Scottish Women's Aid, said they were "positive developments".

She added: "However, court waiting times of five or six months in Edinburgh, and up to nine months in Glasgow, are not uncommon. This is an unacceptable delay, increasing risk to the victim while their abuser walks free - many women withdraw from the process during this time.

"Our courts are over-stretched, and we believe it is time for the Scottish Government to look at domestic abuse in the context of the justice system in its entirety."

rachel.loxton@eveningtimes.co.uk