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Chamber and committees

Subordinate Legislation Committee, 14 Nov 2000

Meeting date: Tuesday, November 14, 2000


Contents


Divorce etc (Pensions) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2000 (SSI 2000/392)

Do members want to make any comments on the instrument?

Trish Godman:

These are the regulations that have a vires problem. Another point is how regulation 3A(2) fits in with regulation 3A(3). The relevant date has been substituted, which is not helpful. That means that there is doubt as to whether it is intra vires.

The Convener:

That ties in with my experience as a practising lawyer. The relevant date is critical. Even 12 months—11 months and 30-odd days—could cause changes in some pensions. The relevant date is the relevant date in terms of existing legislation and the case law, so to change the relevant date from a precise date to something far broader is problematic.

I am also curious as to what charges might be brought in, how they will be justified and paid for and how that relates to the regulations. We will seek clarification on those issues.