United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill
The Bill incorporates the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into the law in Scotland.
The Bill was approved on 07 December 2023 and became an Act on 16 January 2024
Contents
Reconsideration Stage - Further debate
Following a challenge by Law Officers or the Secretary of State, the Parliament may reconsider the Bill. Further "amendments" (changes) can be submitted, MSPs then debate and vote on whether to approve the Bill.
The Bill ended Reconsideration Stage on 07 December 2023
Supreme Court ruling
Following Stage 3, the Bill was referred by the Law Officers to the Supreme Court under Section 33 of the Scotland Act 1998. The Supreme Court then ruled that some of the things the Bill set out to do were not within the powers of the Scottish Parliament. The Bill as passed at Stage 3 could therefore not become law.
Scottish Parliament research briefing
Debate on having a Reconsideration Stage
MSPs debated whether to reconsider the Bill following the Supreme Court ruling.
Read the minutes of proceedings (184KB, pdf) posted 14 September 2023
Committee consideration
MSPs met with people in committee meetings to discuss the reconsideration of the Bill.
The Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee looked at the Bill and the proposed amendments.
Minutes of 26 September 2023 (in private)
Minutes of 31 October 2023
Minutes of 7 November 2023
Minutes of 14 November 2023 (in private)
The MSPs also received video evidence from children and young people.
Watch the video produced by Children and Young People Scotland Commissioner's Young Advisors
Meeting on 31 October 2023
Correspondence
Committee correspondence sent and received while the Bill progressed through Parliament
Reconsideration of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice to the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, 28 November 2023
Reconsideration of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill
Letter to Gina Wilson, Head of Strategy, Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland from the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, 17 November 2023
Reconsideration of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill
Letter to Juliet Harris, Director, Together (Scottish Alliance of Children's Rights) from the Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, 17 November 2023
Debate on the proposed amendments
MSPs can propose further “amendments” (changes) to the Bill. MSPs then debate and decide on the amendments.
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 7 December 2023.
Marshalled List of Amendments for Reconsideration Stage (233KB, pdf) posted 04 December 2023
Groupings of Amendments for Reconsideration Stage (336KB, pdf) posted 04 December 2023
Final debate on the Bill
Once MSPs have debated and decided on the amendments, they debate whether to approve the Bill.
Meeting on 7 December 2023
Read the minutes of proceedings (196KB, pdf) posted 07 December 2023
Final vote on the Bill
After the debate, MSPs vote on whether to approve the Bill.
Meeting on 7 December 2023
Final version of the Bill
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill as Approved at Reconsideration Stage (917KB, pdf) posted 07 December 2023
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill (Reconsideration)
- Submitted by: Shirley-Anne Somerville, Dunfermline, Scottish National Party.
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 December 2023
- Motion reference: S6M-11573
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 07 December 2023
Result 117 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote Vote Passed