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We must commence with a declaration of interests. I note that every member is here and that there is no need for apologies. Each of us has signed on and has made a submission. If there are any points that individuals would like to make with respect to this committee, this is the time to do so. In the future, members may find that there is still a need to declare an interest, but today's is a more general declaration.
I have a financial interest in the criminal justice system and, in particular, the workings of the Scottish Legal Aid Board. I have made a small amount of money, from time to time, out of the legal aid system. I imagine that this committee will sometimes consider the board, its operation and how its policies operate. I will inevitably and for some time—even without working—have an interest in such deliberations.
The expertise and knowledge gained from those interests will be of great value to the committee.
Like Gordon Jackson, I was in, and will shortly cease, practice as a civil practitioner. I may sometimes be involved in doing things that involve civil legal aid, so I have a financial interest in our decisions about the workings of the civil legal aid system.
Thank you, Christine. The committee is obviously well packed with expertise.
I have several different sorts of interest to declare. I am an unpaid director of Ross-shire Womens Aid; domestic violence is likely to come up in this committee. I also represent Ross-shire Womens Aid on the Highland domestic abuse forum. In case it is of any relevance, I am an unpaid director of a company called Barmekin Limited that owns and rents two cottages in the black isle. What my husband does is relevant. He is on the council of the Law Society of Scotland, the parliamentary liaison committee for the Law Society and the law reform committee. He is likely to be liaising with us, so I think that that is relevant.
Given your black isle interest, the bill on feus may well be of interest to you, but who knows.
I am a member of the Faculty of Advocates. I have not practised for the past four years so my pecuniary interest in legal aid and aspects of the law has ceased. My professional interest continues as my membership of the faculty continues.
In the context of land reform—
I am sorry, but please speak up. Age has its drawbacks and bad hearing is one of them.
In the context of land reform, I should declare that I am a River Tweed commissioner and that I obtain a small honorarium from Kelso Angling Association—that might be relevant.
I was formerly a justice of the peace and had an interest in such activities. I am no longer eligible to sit on the bench because I represent an area where my commission was.
Those experiences will still be of value. Does anybody else have any interests to declare? I think that it is fair to say that the rest of us simply have a great interest in justice and home affairs.
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