Justice 1 Committee,

Meeting date: Wednesday, May 30, 2001

Official Report 235KB pdf

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Subordinate Legislation

We have before us a negative instrument, the European Communities (Service of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents) (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SSI 2001/172). Are there any comments?

The first document seems to be fairly meaningless and states the expected. Is not this a case of legislation being created for the sake of it? We have before us a statement that no one can possibly argue with. I do not see the point of it.

I would like to ask a couple of questions about the second document, as it relates to languages and translation. A range of languages is quoted. Does each document have to be translated into each and every one of them or would it be only into the language of the country to which the documents are to be transmitted? Who is responsible for the costs of the translation and for ensuring its accuracy?

By "the second document", do you mean the Council regulation to which the instrument refers?

Yes.

We can ask the Executive those questions. I suspect that a document that was served in Scotland would have to be in English, but I think we can find that out for you.

That would be useful. I have no comment other than that the document is a waste of space.

If there are no further questions, we will take no action on the instrument other than to write to the Executive to ask about the points that Phil Gallie has raised.

As was previously agreed, we will take item 4 in private.

Meeting continued in private.

Meeting continued in public.