Under agenda item 2, we have two petitions to consider. The first is PE361 from Mr Stuart Usher, on behalf of Scotland Against Crooked Lawyers. The petition has been referred to the committee by the Public Petitions Committee for information only. A note from the clerks has been circulated. Members will be aware that we will undertake an inquiry into the regulation of the legal profession. It is my opinion that no further action is necessary on the petition at this time. The matters raised in it will be dealt with as part of the inquiry later this year.
Technically, I should perhaps declare an interest. The petition is about crooked lawyers. I am a lawyer, although that might be a slightly different thing.
I declare that my husband is a solicitor and a former member of the council of the Law Society of Scotland.
With that on the record, are members happy that we take no further action on the petition at present?
The second petition, PE89, from Eileen McBride, deals with enhanced criminal record certificates. Members will be aware that we have had a substantial amount of correspondence on the matter. The last piece of correspondence is a letter from the Minister for Justice dated 2 April, in response to my letter seeking clarification on whether the subject of the certificate would be aware that a certificate had been asked for. There is also a note from the clerk.
As a committee, we cannot take the matter any further. Certainly, we cannot repeal the legislation, which is what the petitioner wants. The petitioner argues that the legislation is contrary to the European convention on human rights. It is not for the committee to say whether she is right or wrong about that. Someone else would have to test that argument.
We now move into private session to consider agenda item 3.
Meeting continued in private until 10:17.
Previous
Item in Private