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Chamber and committees

Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee

Options for a legal mechanism for triggering any independence referendum

The Committee is launching a short inquiry to examine the options for a legal mechanism for triggering any independence referendum.

The Committee will explore options based on principles of certainty, and democratic consent within the UK constitutional context.

Written Submissions

The Committee received the following written submissions ahead of its Committee Meeting on:

13 November:

Professor Adam Tomkins (107KB, pdf) posted 11 November 2025

Professor Stephen Tierney (285KB, pdf) posted 11 November 2025

Professor Aileen McHarg (312KB, pdf) posted 11 November 2025


27 November:

Professor Nicola McEwen (108KB, pdf) posted 25 November 2025

Professor Alan Renwick (150KB, pdf) posted 25 November 2025

Dr Elisenda Casanas (153KB, pdf) posted 25 November 2025


11 December:

André Lecours (102KB, pdf) posted 09 December 2025

Dr Lea Raible (148KB, pdf) posted 09 December 2025

Professor Aoife O'Donoghue (268KB, pdf) posted 09 December 2025

Professor Nikos Skoutaris (313KB, pdf) posted 09 December 2025

Professor Ailsa Henderson (378KB, pdf) posted 09 December 2025


The Committee also received the following submission: 

Respect Scottish Sovereignty (168KB, pdf) posted 11 November 2025

Meetings

The inquiry was discussed at the following Committee meetings:

Correspondence

The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during the inquiry:

Options for a legal mechanism for triggering any independence referendum

Submission from the UK Government in relation to options for a legal mechanism for triggering any independence referendum

Scottish Government relating to legal mechanism for triggering any independence referendum

Letter from Angus Robertson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, 30 October 2025