Law reform roundup
English Votes for English Laws
The Constitutional Law Committee submitted a further briefing to MPs on proposed changes to Standing Orders of the House of Commons, confining its comments to constitutional and legal implications. The briefing questioned whether it was appropriate for such a change to be made by amendments to standing orders, and highlighted the issues that may arise from the role of the Speaker, who has to certify when legislation may adopt this procedure.
EU reform and referendum
Written evidence was submitted to the EU & External Relations Committee of the Scottish Parliament on the possible withdrawal of the UK from the EU. Without advocating a view on withdrawal, the briefing lays out some of the serious issues which may arise. European law has primacy over UK law, and under the Scotland Act 1998, laws passed by the Scottish Parliament must be compatible with EU law. The briefing also lays out the process that would need to be undertaken for withdrawal and the treaties involved.
Transplantation Bill
The Health & Medical Law Committee submitted written evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Health &
Apologies (Scotland) Bill
A stage 1 brief was submitted to MSPs, supporting the policy intent of the bill to promote the use of apologies and remove the perceived risk that an apology will be used to demonstrate liability. It highlighted that the definition of “apology” differs greatly from that in the Health (Tobacco, Nicotine etc and Care) (Scotland) Bill, which seeks to impose a duty of candour, something that may lead to unforeseen or unanticipated consequences.
Trade Union Bill
The Employment Law Committee submitted written evidence to the UK Parliament’s Public Bill Committee. Noting that the Scottish Government has requested that Scotland
In this issue
- Appropriate adults and defence agents: who does what?
- Buying from a housing association: why consent matters
- Harassment: a civil claim?
- A welcome abroad: EYBA in London
- Reading for pleasure
- Opinion: David Faith
- Book reviews
- Profile
- President's column
- ScotLIS gets the green light
- People on the move
- Storm over Safe Harbor
- Light on a murky world
- Southern horizons
- Mediation minefield
- Migrants: no way to turn?
- The technological edge
- As our suppliers see us
- More rules to grapple with
- Fraud and divorce – a Scottish Sharland?
- What future for employment tribunal fees?
- Heading for a showdown on hard won human rights?
- Taxing question of relief
- Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal
- How far can we rely on the register?
- All part of the game
- Law reform roundup
- From the Brussels office
- Poverty: a new front in the war
- Damage limitation: working it out
- Ask Ash
- A lawyer's lament
- Appreciation: Michael Scanlan