Committee
Justice 2 Committee, 18 Apr 2006
18 Apr 2006 · S2 · Justice 2 Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Maximum Number of Part-Time Sheriffs (Scotland) Order 2006 (draft)
Not particularly. If the pressure of business is such that we need more part-time sheriffs, we will come back to you. We would rather do that quickly and respond to the demand than cause chaos and inconvenience by not having an appropriate number. Equally, if the demand for part-time sheriffs ever dropped—although I do not believe that that will happen—and we needed to reduce the complement, we would do that. However, I expect more pressure for more part-time sheriffs. We think that the proposed number is about right, but we will wait and see. However, I am reluctant to put a five-year period or any period on that.
In the same item of business
The Convener:
Con
Item 2 is subordinate legislation. We have one affirmative instrument to consider today. No points were raised by the Subordinate Legislation Committee. I in...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
Part-time sheriffs are used in a number of situations. They cover for full-time sheriffs who are absent on annual leave or sick leave or who are attending tr...
The Convener:
Con
Members now have the opportunity to question the minister.After five years, you recommend increasing the number of part-time sheriffs. Do you have a timefram...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
Not particularly. If the pressure of business is such that we need more part-time sheriffs, we will come back to you. We would rather do that quickly and res...
Maureen Macmillan:
Lab
What is the size of the pool from which you draw part-time sheriffs? There is anecdotal evidence that the number of solicitors who do court work is diminishi...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
We have no concerns about that. Maureen Macmillan raises a separate issue about people who engage in criminal work in some parts of Scotland.The pool to draw...
Motion moved,
That the Justice 2 Committee recommends that the draft Maximum Number of Part-Time Sheriffs (Scotland) Order 2006 be approved.—Hugh Henry.
Motion agreed to.