The Committee was established in June 2021. It focuses on:
Location: T1.60-CR4 The Clerk Maxwell Room
Agenda:
The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee usually meets weekly on Tuesdays.
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
Other
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee Session 6 Legacy Report
6 March 2026
Letter from the Scottish Human Rights Commission, 6 March 2026
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Non-implementation of legislation
6 March 2026
Letter from the Minister for Equalities re the Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020, 6 March 2026
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Non-implementation of legislation
6 March 2026
Letter from the Minister for Equalities and the Minister for Victims and Community Safety regarding second quarterly update, 6 March 2026
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
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Meeting date: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Decision on Taking Business in Private, Scottish Human Rights Commission
Published: 24 February 2026
Report by the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on an affirmative instrument relating to Legal Aid and on whether the instrument should be approved.
Report on Human rights, equalities and access to services in rural areas of Scotland
Published: 20 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.
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.
Full details of committee membership, including substitute and previous members