Minutes: 07 November 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 5 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument— Marriage Between Persons of Different Sexes (Prescribed Bodies) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2023

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

3. Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence from—

Brian Inkster, CEO, Inksters Solicitors;

Chris Kenny, former Chief Executive of the Legal Services Board of England and Wales and currently CEO, Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland;

Professor Stephen Mayson, University College London;

Naeema Yaqoob Sajid, Solicitor and Director, Diversity+.

4. United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill:

The Committee took evidence on the Bill at Reconsideration Stage from—

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Rachel Nicholson, Lawyer, Legal Directorate, Scottish Government.

5. Consideration of evidence (In Private):

The Committee considered the evidence it heard under agenda items 3 and 4 and agreed to issue an invitation to Esther Roberton in respect of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill.