Petitioner: catherine fraser
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
30 May 2014
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to change the law to provide that legal aid is available to defend actions of defamation and challenge judgements in defamation cases.
Summary:
5 August 2014: The Committee took evidence from Catherine Fraser. The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, the Scottish Legal Aid Board, the Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Human Rights Commission. Link to Official Report 5 August 2014 (399KB pdf)
11 November 2014: The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the petition to its next meeting.
25 November 2014: The Committee agreed to write to the Justice Committee. Link to Official Report 25 November 2014
27 January 2015: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government. Link to Official Report 27 January 2015
31 March 2015: The Committee agreed to close the petition, under Rule 15.7, on the basis that the Justice Committee has no plans to do work in this area and neither the Scottish Legal Aid Board nor the Scottish Government are persuaded that change is required at this time. Link to Official Report 31 March 2015
Written Submissions:
Definition of justice: the principle of fairness that like cases should be treated alike.
The justice system should value justice for all citizens of this country, regardless whether they come from the poorest background or from the wealthiest in society.
We have a two tier system of justice in this country.
One injustice, regardless of its nature is totally unacceptable.