Child Law

1-15 of 21 Articles
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No child aged under 18 will be sent to a young offenders institution under legislation that has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill aims to improve experiences and outcomes for children by diverting them away from the criminal courts, with maxi

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The Scottish Child Law Centre is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Since it was established, the centre has advised over 50,000 parents, carers, children and young people on their legal rights and has had a major impact on thousands of lives.

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A petition lodged at Holyrood calls for an assurance from the Scottish government that non-statutory child advocacy services are properly regulated to ensure competence, transparency and accountability. Petitioners Martin Baker and Katherine Bailey write: "We believe any non-statutory child adv

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A new bill which would allow children to take public bodies to court for breaches of their rights by incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law should be extended to include private sector and voluntary organisations who deliver public services, acc

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A survey has revealed support for changes in the law to promote shared parenting. Amendments to the Children (Scotland) Bill including ones on renaming contact and residence and on a requirement to consider equal residence time between parents by default will be debated by the Justice Committee next

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Amanda Masson explains the details of a recent high-profile family law case. The case of Leigha Collins has attracted much comment. She was ordered by the court in Scotland to return to Malta no later than 5 June with her son, H, who is one year old, on the basis of an application by H's father in t

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Legislation to ensure that the rights of children are at the heart of any family law case, and that their views are heard, has passed its first hurdle at Holyrood. Measures in the Children (Scotland) Bill include regulation of child contact centres to ensure every one is a safe place for c

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Concerns have been expressed by the Faculty of Advocates that planned legislation designed to ensure the voice of the child is heard in court could be “retrogressive”. In response to a call by the Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee for comments on the Children (Scotland)

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New legislation banning the smacking of children needs to be supported by a comprehensive public education and awareness campaign, according to the Law Society of Scotland.  The Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill passed by the Scottish Parliament yesterday abolishes t

1-15 of 21 Articles