Skip to main content
Loading…
Chamber and committees

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

The Committee was established in June 2021. It focuses on:

  • equal opportunities matters
  • human rights matters
  • civil justice matters including debt, evictions and family law

Next meeting of the committee

Start time: 9:00am, Tuesday 17 February 2026

Location: T1.60-CR4 The Clerk Maxwell Room

Agenda:

  1. Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland
  2. Human rights, equalities and access to services in rural areas of Scotland (in private)
  3. Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland (in private)

Dates for future meetings

The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee usually meets weekly on Tuesdays. 

Previous meetings of the committee

See all meetings of the committee

Work of the Committee

Work of the Committee: Current work

Work of the Committee: Completed work

Work of the Committee: Future work

The Committee considers its work programme regularly to maintain a rolling programme of business. The Committee's planned business is noted below.  Please note that it is subject to change.

For further details or questions, please contact the Clerks to the Committee on [email protected]

Legislation

Commissioner for Older People (Scotland) Bill: The Committee issued a call for views on the Bill and has agreed to do nothing further on the Bill at this time.

Inquiries

  • Budget scrutiny 2026-2027, focussing on accountability and progress on previous recommendations made by the Committee during this Parliamentary session
  • evidence on the Committee’s published report ‘The Operation of the Public Sector Equality Duty in Scotland
  • the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
  • the impact of rural inequalities
  • neurodivergence in Scotland
  • the impact of domestic violence on deaf women
  • the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s expected revised Code of Practice following the UK Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers

Other

  • Committee Legacy Report for Session 7
  • Annual report

Work of the Committee: Correspondence

Correspondence

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Neurodivergence in Scotland

12 February 2026

Written submission from Dyslexia Scotland, 12 February 2026

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill

10 February 2026

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills to the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, 10 February 2026

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019: use of Section 28 powers - taking a child under 12 to a place of safety

9 February 2026

Letter from the Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, 9 February 2026

Work of the Committee: Official Reports of meetings

Official Reports of meetings

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Budget Scrutiny 2026-27, Subordinate Legislation

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Neurodivergence

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Public Sector Equality Duty

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private, British Sign Language Inquiry

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Scottish Human Rights Commission

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 25, 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Human Rights, Equalities and Access to Services (Rural Areas)

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Human Rights, Equalities and Access to Services (Rural Areas)

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Subordinate Legislation

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Decision on Taking Business in Private, Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Work of the Committee: Reports

Committee reports

Subordinate legislation considered by the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on 3 February 2026

Published: 04 February 2026

Report by the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on affirmative instruments and on whether the instruments should be approved.

Pre-Budget scrutiny 2026-27: Human Rights Budgeting

Published: 12 December 2025

A report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on pre-budget scrutiny of the Scottish Government’s budget for 2026-27 focussing on human rights budgeting.

Stage 1 report on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill

Published: 19 November 2025

Stage 1 report by the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on the Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility)(Scotland) Bill.

Work of the Committee: Committee Remit

To consider and report on the following (and any additional matter added under Rule 6.1.5A)— a. matters relating to equal opportunities, and upon the observance of equal opportunities within the Parliament; and b. matters relating to human rights. c. matters relating to civil justice within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs. 2. In these Rules (a) “equal opportunities” includes the prevention, elimination or regulation of discrimination between persons on grounds of sex or marital status, on racial grounds or on grounds of disability, age, sexual orientation, language or social origin or of other personal attributes, including beliefs or opinions such as religious beliefs or political opinions; and (b) “human rights” includes Convention rights (within the meaning of section 1 of the Human Rights Act 1998) and other human rights as for example contained in any international convention, treaty or other international instrument ratified by the United Kingdom.

Current Members

A photo of Karen Adam MSP

Karen Adam

Convener
Scottish National Party
A photo of Maggie Chapman MSP

Maggie Chapman

Deputy Convener
Scottish Green Party
A photo of Dr Pam Gosal MBE MSP

Dr Pam Gosal MBE

Member
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
A photo of Rhoda Grant MSP

Rhoda Grant

Member
Scottish Labour
A photo of Paul McLennan MSP

Paul McLennan

Member
Scottish National Party
A photo of Marie McNair MSP

Marie McNair

Member
Scottish National Party
A photo of Tess White MSP

Tess White

Member
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Full details of committee membership, including substitute and previous members

Call for views

The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee is not currently seeking views on any of its current inquiries

Get in touch

If you want to get in touch, you can contact Euan Donald, the Clerk for the committee.