Minutes: 05 September 2023

1. Declaration of interests:

Meghan Gallacher and Annie Wells were invited to declare any relevant interests.  No such interests were declared.

2. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 4, 5 and 6 in private.

3. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument— Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) (No. 3) Regulations 2023

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

4. Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill (In Private):

The Committee considered its approach to the scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1.

It agreed—

• a proposed timetable for scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1 and suggested witnesses, noting changes may be made subject to any reconsideration of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill
• to delegate responsibility to the Convener for future decisions on inviting additional groups or witnesses to give oral evidence
• to hold a discussion, in private, at the end of each meeting on the oral evidence heard
• to consider all draft reports on the Bill in private at future meetings.

5. Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2024-25 (In Private):

The Committee considered and agreed its approach.

6. Asylum Seekers in Scotland (In Private):

The Committee considered a key issues paper during which Clerks noted areas of discussion.