1. Decisions on taking business in private

The Committee will decide whether to take items 5 and 6 in private.

2. Maximum Number of Judges (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] – evidence

The Committee will take evidence from—

• Neil Gray
  Cabinet Secretary for Justice
  Scottish Government
• Heather McLean
  Senior Policy Officer, Directorate for Justice
  Scottish Government
• Emma Thomson
  Lawyer, Legal Directorate
  Scottish Government

3. Maximum Number of Judges (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] – motion recommending approval

Neil Gray (Cabinet Secretary for Justice) to move—

S7M-01122—That the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee recommends that the Maximum Number of Judges (Scotland) Order 2026 [draft] be approved.

4. Pre-budget scrutiny 2027-28: Women's poverty – evidence

The Committee will take evidence from—

• Ivan McKee
  Cabinet Secretary for Public Service Reform
  Scottish Government
• Simita Kumar
  Minister for Equalities and International Development
  Scottish Government
• Simon Mair
  Deputy Director, Place-Based Service Change and Reform
  Scottish Government
• Rachael McGruer
  Deputy Director, Tackling Child Poverty
  Scottish Government

5. Pre-budget scrutiny 2027-28: Women's poverty – review of evidence

The Committee will review the evidence heard under agenda item 4.

6. Work programme

The Committee will consider its work programme.