About the Scottish Parliament

The Standing Orders are the rules of procedure for the Parliament.

They have been made in accordance with the Scotland Act 1998.

Standing Orders of the Scottish Parliament, 6th Edition, 8th Revision (4 May 2023)

This annexe contains any temporary rules made under Rule 17.1A that are currently in force.

Temporary Rule 1  [deleted]

Temporary Rule 2  [deleted]

Temporary Rule 3  [deleted]

Temporary Rule 4   Change to Mandatory Committee Remit and Name

This rule applies to the committee mentioned in Rule 6.8.  It ceases to apply when the Parliament has taken a decision to amend rule 6.8 in accordance with Rule 17.1 or on the date of dissolution, whichever is the earlier.

2.  Where provisions contained in this temporary rule are in conflict with other standing order provisions, those in the temporary rule have precedence.

Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee 

3.  There shall be a committee, the remit of which is to consider and report on the following (and any additional matter added under Rule 6.1.5A)—

(a) the Scottish Government’s EU and external affairs policy;

(b) policy in relation to the UK’s exit from the EU;

(c) the international activities of the Scottish Administration, including international development; and

(d) any other matter falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture and any matter relating to inter-governmental relations within the responsibility of the Deputy First Minister.

Temporary Rule 5 Proxy Voting Pilot

1. This Rule applies to any voting at a meeting of the Parliament or of a Committee of the Whole Parliament. It ceases to have effect on 31 December 2023.

2. A member may arrange for their vote to be cast by another member acting as a proxy (a “proxy vote”), but only where —

• (a) the Presiding Officer has issued a scheme setting out details of how such a proxy vote may be exercised, including the circumstances in which it can be exercised, the designation process, details of how a proxy may be withdrawn and the manner in which a proxy vote is to be cast;
• (b) the members concerned (which means both the member and the proxy) have complied with the terms of that scheme; and
• (c) there is a valid proxy in place at the point of voting.

3. A proxy may vote for one or two members.

4. A proxy vote has the same status as a vote cast by a member in person.

5. A member shall vote only once on any question except where the Presiding Officer asks members to cast their vote again under Rule 11.7.3. For the avoidance of doubt, where a member casts their own vote, any proxy vote cast on their behalf shall have no effect.

6. A proxy vote must be clearly indicated as such in the minutes of the meeting of the Parliament or of the Committee of the Whole Parliament, as appropriate.

7. Where provisions contained in this temporary rule are in conflict with other standing order provisions, those in the temporary rule have precedence.