Minutes: 07 October 2026

1. Decisions on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take items 5 and 6 in private.

2. Government reform agenda and response to sector perspectives – evidence:

The Committee took evidence from—

Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, and Kirsten Oswald, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, supported by Catriona Dalrymple, Director for Justice, and Donald McGillivray, Director for Safer Communities, Scottish Government.

3. The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Transfer of Functions and Members of the Police Appeals Tribunal) Amendment Regulations 2026 – evidence:

The Committee took evidence from—

Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, supported by Steven Bunch, Team Leader, Police Conduct Policy Team and Amanda Dunlop, Lawyer Scottish Government.

4. The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Transfer of Functions and Members of the Police Appeals Tribunal) Amendment Regulations 2026 – motion recommending approval:

Neil Gray (Cabinet Secretary for Justice) moved—

S7M-01279 — That the Criminal Justice Committee recommends that The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Transfer of Functions and Members of the Police Appeals Tribunal) Amendment Regulations 2026 [draft] be approved.

After debate the motion was agreed to.

5. Government reform agenda and response to sector perspectives – review of evidence (in private):

The Committee reviewed the evidence heard under item 2.

6. The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Transfer of Functions and Members of the Police Appeals Tribunal) Amendment Regulations 2026 - report (in private):

The Committee considered a draft report on the instrument considered under agenda items 3 and 4. The Committee delegated to the Convener responsibility for finalising the report for publication.

7. Work programme (in private):

The Committee agreed to submit a bid for a People’s Pane about the purpose of the criminal justice system, including the scope of the topic and the proposed question, and delegated authority to the Convener to approve the final wording of the bid before its submission to the Conveners Group.