The aim of the Bill is to amend the Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland Act 1871. It is being promoted by the Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland.
This is a Private bill
The Bill became an Act on 20 January 2021
This Bill was passed and is now an Act of the Scottish Parliament.
The aim of the Bill is to amend the Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland Act 1871. It is being promoted by the Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland. Changes include:
It will also give the Society new powers including to:
The Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland is a voluntary society that solicitors may choose to join. The benefits of membership include:
The Society has been in existence for over two hundred years. It has introduced this Private Bill to update and modernise the Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland Act 1871 (“the 1871 Act”). The Bill will update the 1871 Act for modern circumstances and give the Society extra powers that it may need in the future.
Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland (Amendment) Bill as introduced (505KB, pdf) posted 02 October 2019
Explanatory Notes (105KB, pdf) posted 02 October 2019
Promoter's Memorandum (179KB, pdf) posted 02 October 2019
Promoter's Statement (129KB, pdf) posted 02 October 2019
Statements on legislative competence (193KB, pdf) posted 08 October 2019
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Promoter’s Memorandum: The Promoter’s Memorandum sets out the Bill’s objectives, what alternative approaches were considered and the consultation undertaken. It provides an opportunity to argue the case for the Bill, and so can provide a useful complement to the Explanatory Notes.
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual sections.
Promoter’s Statement: The main purpose of the Promoter’s Statement is to set out how the promoter has notified and made information available to those likely to be affected, and obtained consent where required.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the person introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is not required for this Bill.
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
If a Bill requires a Financial Resolution:
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
Research briefing on the Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland (Amendment) Bill
The Bill was introduced on 26 September 2019
The Committee considers and reports on the general principles of the Bill.
Parliament then decides whether the Bill should proceed to the next stage.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland (Amendment) Bill Committee.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.
The objection period is now closed.
A Preliminary Stage debate took place on 19 August 2020 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.
See further details of the motion
Documents with the Amendments considered at the meeting that was held on 7 September 2020:
Marshalled List of Amendments at Consideration Stage (148KB, pdf) posted 03 September 2020
Groupings of Amendments at Consideration Stage (154KB, pdf) posted 03 September 2020
Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.
Result 109 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 20 did not vote Vote Passed
See further details of the motion
If the Bill is passed, it is normally sent for Royal Assent after about 4 weeks. Royal Assent is when the Bill gets formal agreement by the King and becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament. Some Acts become law straight after Royal Assent. Some only come into force on a later date. Sometimes different bits of the same Act become law on different dates.
The Bill was passed on 3 December 2020 and became an Act on 20 January 2021.
Solicitors in the Supreme Courts of Scotland (Amendment) Act 2021