The Law Society of Scotland has identified several areas that the legal profession needs to address during consultation on the government's White Paper on devolution. President John Elliot said the society had a key role to play in the devolution debate and would be closely examining the proposed division of powers between Westminster and a Scottish Parliament. He said other areas of concern were how disputes between a Scottish Parliament and Westminster would be resolved, the role of the Lord Advocate and how judges would be appointed. The society also wants to know how international treaties and European Union legislation would be incorporated into Scottish law and made effective. Elliot said: “As an apolitical organisation, the society is able to draw on the skill of Scottish solicitors to assist in the scrutiny of the white paper and in any subsequent devolution Bill.”
Contract liability fears unfounded, says Govt
Chris Fogarty reports The Government has moved to allay fears that local authority officers could be held personally liable if a contract with a private sector partner was later found to be invalid. Although the Government is refusing to amend its Local Government (Contracts) Bill, it has insisted that fears that it will expose council […]