Society welcome for promised Holyrood bills
The Law Society of Scotland has reacted positively to yesterdays' statement by the First Minister setting out the Scottish Government's legislative programme for the remainder of the current Holyrood parlimentary session.
In addition it highlighted the commitment to abolish employment tribunal fees in Scotland, when the power to do so is devolved.
Christine McLintock, President of the Society, commented: “This programme is wide ranging and the First Minister clearly has a strong focus not just on the next parliamentary term, but the longer term future.
“With only eight months before the Scottish Parliamentary elections take place next May, it is a challenging timescale in which to deliver this broad ranging programme. We are very pleased to see the Scottish Government’s future commitment to the abolition of employment tribunal fees. This is something we have been pressing for since they were introduced, and will allow more people to raise cases regardless of their financial circumstances."
On the individual bills announced (click here for report), Ms McLintock said of the Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill, which will create a "revenge porn" offence: "In our view there is a strong argument for modelling Scottish legislation in this area on what is already in place in England & Wales under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 rather than operating a significantly different legal regime north and south of the border. We also very much welcome the introduction of a specific offence of domestic abuse.”
Regarding the Lobbying Bill, she hoped the Scottish Government would have taken into consideration the issues the Society raised at consultation stage, regarding the need for clear definitions and a broader scope for the bill than simply face to face meetings. She also welcomed the promise of a Bankruptcy Consolidation Bill to simpplify the legislation in this area.
The President added: “The continuation of the Criminal Justice Bill is welcome, and with stage 2 now imminent, we will be following the proceedings closely. As well as scrutinising and commenting on the new bills as they are introduced, we will also be giving oral evidence to the Scottish Parliament on the land reform, succession and health bills over the next few months.”
- The Scottish Law Commission has also welcomed the proposed consolidation of bankruptcy legislation, which is based on a Commission report, as is the proposed Succession (Scotland) Bill. Lord Pentland, chairman of the Commission, said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government has continued to use the new procedure established to improve the consideration and rate of implementation of Commission reports."