“Pocket guide” for Scottish lawmakers published by JUSTICE

 

The law reform and human rights body, JUSTICE, has published a guide to Scots law which it hopes will become a fixture in the offices of MSPs and their staff.

The publication, Law for Scottish lawmakers, gives a basic introduction to some of the core legal and constitutional principles with which parliamentarians grapple on a daily basis at Holyrood, says Derek Ogg, QC, Chair of JUSTICE Scotland.

“In these times of political and constitutional change we face significant questions about the nature of our democracy and the foundation of the United Kingdom,” he adds.

“This guide doesn’t provide answers to those questions but does provide a basic glossary to help inform discussion and debate. At its heart is a shared understanding – stepping beyond party politics – of the role that Parliament plays in both making the law work and ensuring respect for the rule of law in practice.

“We hope it will prove a useful ‘pocket guide’ for MSPs as well as their staff.”

JUSTICE thanked the Faculty of Advocates and the Law Society of Scotland for their support of the guide. It was drafted largely by volunteer members of JUSTICE: the Faculty’s Kenneth Campbell, QC, Tim Haddow and Fred Macintosh, and solicitors Gordon Dalyell and Neil Deacon.

The guide can be viewed at https://justice.org.uk/pocket-guide-for-scottish-lawmakers/