Minutes: 20 June 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Local Taxation Chamber and Upper Tribunal for Scotland (Composition and Procedure) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2023 [draft] from—

Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Siobhian Brown (Minister for Victims and Community Safety) moved—S6M-09108—That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland Local Taxation Chamber and Upper Tribunal for Scotland (Composition and Procedure) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2023 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to without division.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument— Act of Sederunt (Fees of Solicitors in the Court of Session, Sheriff Appeal Court and Sheriff Court) (Taxation of Judicial Expenses Rules) (Amendment) 2023

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

5. Asylum Seekers in Scotland:

The Committee took evidence from—

Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, Asylum Inquiry Scotland;

and then from—

Emma Roddick, Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, Alison Byrne, Director for Equality, Inclusion and Human Rights (Interim) and Aileen Harding, Policy Manager, Asylum and Refugee Integration, Scottish Government. 

6. Consideration of evidence (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda item 5.