The SPLG held its first annual conference on 15 June 2009 at Glasgow University. The conference featured sessions on recent developments in judicial review in Scotland and elsewhere, and on ongoing and crucially important changes in administrative justice, with presentations from Lord Boyd, former Lord Advocate, Aidan O’Neill QC, Mungo Bovey QC, Professor Alan Page, and the first Scottish Public Services Ombudsman, Alice Brown, as well as many others. Please see the brochure below for further details.
The SPLG would like to thank all of the speakers and chairs for their contributions.
Papers from the conference can be found below:
Posted on May 13th, 2009 by admin
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The SPLG Spring Seminar was held on 14 May 2009 at Edinburgh University. Professor Stephen Tierney, Professor of Constitutional Theory, University of Edinburgh, chaired the event which focused on the relationships and interaction between local government and the Scottish Government.
John Ewing, Director of Public Service Reform, Scottish Government, provided a valuable overview of Single Outcome Agreements while Martin Booth, COSLA, gave participants an insight into the operation of Shared Services. Andrew Ferguson, Fife Council & Vice-President of SOLAR, concluded the evening’s events with a helpful synopsis of the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 and its application to local and central government.
The SPLG would like to thank all of the speakers for their informative presentations, as well as the University of Edinburgh who kindly hosted and provided refreshments for this seminar
Posted on April 24th, 2009 by admin
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The Scottish Public Law Group Winter Seminar was held on Thursday 29 January 2009 at Faculty Hall, Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow. Aidan O’Neill QC chaired the event and guests were treated to insightful and entertaining presentations from Tony Kelly, Partner, Taylor & Kelly and Alan Miller, Chair, Scottish Commission for Human Rights. This was followed by a lively Q&A section. Topics of discussion included:
- What lessons have we learned about litigating human rights in the Scottish courts?
- What about the attitude of the appellate courts, particularly the Privy Council, towards the development of human rights principles?
- What role will Scotland’s new Human Rights Commission play in the development of human rights law going forward?
- How important is the process of ‘mainstreaming’ human rights in the policies and practices of our public authorities?
Power point slides used by Tony Kelly in his presentation will be available in the members area shortly.
The SPLG would like to thank the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow for their support in hosting the event and providing refreshments.
| The Scottish Public Law Group was launched in February 2008 as a forum in which academics, advocates, solicitors and government lawyers can meet and discuss matters of topical interest in public law in Scotland. In its first year, it is intended to hold a series of quarterly seminars. These events are free and open to all. Those wishing to attend the Spring Seminar are requested to advise Tracey Pennycuick at tracey.pennycuick@shepwedd.co.uk. Further details of our 2009/10 Programme are available in the “About” section of our website. |
Posted on December 2nd, 2008 by admin
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The Scottish Public Law Group held its Autumn Seminar on Thursday 18 September 2008 at the Scottish Government’s premises at Victoria Quay, Edinburgh. This was a particularly appropriate time to review the experiences and practice of how FoI is operating in Scotland and beyond as we approach the 4th anniversary of the commencement of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and following the recent House of Lords decision of Common Services Agency v. Scottish Information Commissioner ([2008] UKHL 47). The event was chaired by Ros McInnes (Solicitor, BBC Scotland) and guests were treated to presentations from Maurice Frankel (Director of the Campaign for Freedom of Information), Alicia McKay (FoI Unit, Scottish Government) and Margaret Keyse (Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner). The interesting and well informed discussion covered various topics including:
- Has it lived up to the expectations of campaigners for FoI?
- What have been the main areas of contention leading to appeals to the Information Commissioners and what lessons can be learnt from them?
- How have public authorities responded to the new FoI regime in the way in which they go about their business?
- What is the future for FoI – has it worked or is there a need for change?
Powerpoint presentations of Alicia McKay and Margaret Keyse are available in the Members’ section. The SPLG wishes to extend its thanks to the Scottish Government for hosting the event. Details of the SPLG Winter event will be announced shortly.
Posted on October 29th, 2008 by admin
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The next Scottish Public Law Group seminar will take place on Thursday 26 June 2008. The Faculty of Advocates have kindly agreed to host this event. Further details of the event will follow - please register to ensure you receive details of this and other SPLG events.
Posted on April 30th, 2008 by admin
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23 April 2008
Gilbert Scott Building, University of Glasgow
The inaugural seminar of the Scottish Public Law Group will take place on the evening of Wednesday 23 April 2008. The University of Glasgow have kindly agreed to host the event. Read more…
Posted on March 19th, 2008 by admin
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