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
Details of the next meeting are not available yet.
Dates for future meetings
The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee usually meets weekly on Tuesdays.
Previous meetings of the committee
Work of the Committee
Completed work
Asylum Seekers in Scotland
British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 Inquiry
Budget scrutiny 2023/24 (The Impact of Human Rights Budgeting)
Budget scrutiny 2024/25 (The impact of the Scottish Budget on the public)
Budget scrutiny 2025-2026: Transparency
Budget scrutiny 2026-2027: Accountability
Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill
Commissioner for Older People (Scotland) Bill
Disability Commissioner (Scotland) Bill
Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
Gender Representation on Public Boards (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill
HIV treatment and awareness in Scotland
Inquiry into Women's Unfair Responsibility for Unpaid Care and Domestic Work
Inquiry into the operation of the Public Sector Equality Duty in Scotland
Legal aid
Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill
Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill
Minimum Core Obligations
Neurodivergence in Scotland
PE1787 The use of Makaton sign language in the legal system
PE1817 End Conversion Therapy
Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2022/23
Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill
Rurality
Suicide Prevention Strategy
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
Future work
The Committee has concluded its work programme for Session 6.
Correspondence
Correspondence
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Human rights, equalities and access to services in rural areas of Scotland
23 March 2026
Letter from the Minister for Equalities, 23 March 2026
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
23 March 2026
Letter from the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, 23 March 2026
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
20 March 2026
Letter from the Minister for Equalities following up from 24 February evidence session, 20 March 2026
Official Reports of meetings
Official Reports of meetings
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Decision on Taking Business in Private
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026
Decision on Taking Business in Private, “Sign LOUD: Perspectives of Deaf mothers and signing practitioners on domestic abuse, communication issues and the impact on Deaf families”, Subordinate Legislation
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Subordinate Legislation, Neurodivergence
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Neurodivergence
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Neurodivergence
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
Reports
Committee reports
Legacy Report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, Session 6
Published: 23 March 2026
The Legacy Report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee from Session 6 of the Scottish Parliament.
Annual Report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee for 2025-26
Published: 20 March 2026
Annual Report of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee 2025-26.
Published: 20 March 2026
A report by the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on its inquiry into neurodivergence in Scotland.
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
Karen Adam
Convener
Scottish National Party
Maggie Chapman
Deputy Convener
Scottish Green Party
Dr Pam Gosal MBE
Member
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Rhoda Grant
Member
Scottish Labour
Paul McLennan
Member
Scottish National Party
Marie McNair
Member
Scottish National Party
Tess White
Member
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Full details of committee membership, including substitute and previous members