Family Law Sub-Committee
Joint Committee on Human Rights Call for Evidence
The Family Law Sub-Committee has responded to a call for evidence on the rights of children by the UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights. As well as scrutinising bills and drafts for human rights implications, the Joint Committee also undertakes inquiries into human rights issues during which it seeks evidence from a wide range of groups and individuals with relevant interests and experience, such as the inquiry into children's rights.
In its call for evidence, the Joint Committee provided a list of areas of particular interest relating to children's rights. The Family Law Sub-committee's response focused on three areas: children in detention; decriminalisation of children and children's right to express views in relation to education.
The Law Society of Scotland's response (February 2009).
Scottish Government Consultation on Forced Marriages
The Sub-Committee has responded to the Scottish Government's Consultation on Forced Marriages. The Consultation focussed on the question of whether Scotland should introduce a specific and positive civil remedy to deal with forced marriages. The paper distinguished between forced marriages which lack the consent of the spouses and arranged marriages where the families are heavily involved in choosing a marriage partner but the arrangement is consensual. In its response, the committee did not favour the introduction of a specific remedy, but instead suggests that those involved should have the means and support to access the remedies available.
The Law Society of Scotland's response (March 2009).
