​The main purpose of this paper is to set out the arguments for and against the abolition of unsworn statements. These are presented in the concluding section which may be read as a separate entity (page 23).

The earlier sections explain the background to the current debate (page 1 ), the history of unsworn statements (page 3) and their modification in relation to sexual offence proceedings (page 7). The paper then looks at the use and impact of unsworn statements (page 8) before going on to discuss the way the right operates in the courts (page 10). The recommendations of the principal inquiries are set out next in a separate section (page 15), followed by the account of the arguments for and against the abolition of unsworn statements (page 23).