Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I ask everyone to ensure that mobile phones are switched off. My first duty today is the pleasant one of welcoming Robert Brown to the Justice Committee. In accordance with section 3 of the code of conduct for members of the Scottish Parliament, I ask him to declare any interests that are relevant to the committee's remit.
Thank you for that welcome, convener. I declare my membership of the Law Society of Scotland. Given some of the subjects that the committee is discussing, I should also declare my former partnership in, and later association as a consultant with, the firm of Ross Harper and Murphy, solicitors, in Glasgow. My connection with the firm ceased in 2005, so it is historical. Among other issues, I dealt with medical negligence and reparation actions, which included a small number of asbestosis cases. I acted for pursuers and defenders in different cases, although only for the pursuer in asbestos cases.
I am sure that you will find the committee's work stimulating—there will certainly be a lot of it.