Chamber and committees

Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

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Meeting Agenda

6th Meeting, 2026

• Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
• Session: 6
• Location: T1.60-CR4 The Clerk Maxwell Room
• Start time: 09:30am
• Published: Monday, February 23, 2026 11:06am

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1 Decision on taking business in private

The Committee will decide whether to take item 10 in private.

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2 Subordinate legislation

The Committee will take evidence on the Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance (Fees) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] from—

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Witnesses

Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Scottish Government

Ciaran McDonald, Legal Aid Reform Team Leader, Scottish Government

Emma Thomson, Lawyer, Legal Directorate, Scottish Government

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Paper 1 - Note by the Clerk posted 19/02/2026 (Ref: EHRCJ/S6/26/6/1, 190KB, pdf)

EHRCJ/S6/26/6/2(P) (Private Paper)

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3 Subordinate legislation

Siobhian Brown (Minister for Victims and Community Safety) to move—S6M-20605—That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the Legal Aid and Advice and Assistance (Fees) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved.

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4 Subordinate legislation

The Committee will consider the following negative instruments—

Upper Tribunal for Scotland (Procedure Rules) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/33);

First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Procedure Rules) (Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2026 (SSI 2026/34); and

Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland (Practice and Procedure) (No. 2) Amendment Rules 2026 (SSI 2026/35).

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Paper 3 - Note by the Clerk posted 19/02/2026 (Ref: EHRCJ/S6/26/6/3, 264KB, pdf)

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5 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

The Committee will take evidence from—

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Witnesses

Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Equalities, Scottish Government

Elli Kontorravdis, Head of Human Rights Implementation and International Policy, Scottish Government

Kevin McGowan, Unit Head, Equality Division, Scottish Government

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Paper 4 - Note by the Clerk posted 19/02/2026 (Ref: EHRCJ/S6/26/6/4, 164KB, pdf)

EHRCJ/S6/26/6/5(P) (Private Paper)

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6 Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland

The Committee will take evidence from—

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Witnesses

Tom Arthur, Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing, Scottish Government

Georgia de Courcy Wheeler, CAMHS and ND Improvement Team Leader, Mental Health Directorate, Scottish Government

Robby Steel, Principal Medical Officer for Mental Health, Mental Health Directorate, Scottish Government

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Paper 6 - Note by the Clerk posted 19/02/2026 (Ref: EHRCJ/S6/26/6/6, 139KB, pdf)

EHRCJ/S6/26/6/7(P) (Private Paper)

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7 Subordinate legislation (in private) (Private)

The Committee will consider the evidence it heard under agenda item 2.

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8 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) (in private) (Private)

The Committee will consider the evidence it heard under agenda item 5.

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9 Inquiry into Neurodivergence in Scotland (in private) (Private)

The Committee will consider the evidence it heard under agenda item 6.

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EHRCJ/S6/26/6/8(P) (Private Paper)

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10 Post-legislative scrutiny and the non-implementation of specific Acts of the Scottish Parliament

The Committee will consider its approach.

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