Current status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 21 January 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it has taken to ensure that expertise in criminal law is represented among those appointed as Scottish Law Commissioners.
When a Commissioner vacancy arises at the Scottish Law Commission, the skills and experience sought will be informed by the skills and experience needed to deliver their Programme of Law Reform. The Programme of Law Reform is the subject of extensive consultation by the Scottish Law Commission and is agreed by the Scottish Ministers and laid in the Scottish Parliament. The current Programme of Law Reform includes the law of homicide and a Report on Homicide was published at the end of 2025.
Commissioner appointments are regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner who ensures that appointments are made on merit and reflect the diversity of Scottish society.