News In Focus
25 February 2010
Steering committee to explore JUSTICE for Scotland
A steering committee is to attempt to form a Scottish organisation similar to JUSTICE in England & Wales.
A meeting in Parliament House last night, chaired by human rights solicitor advocate John Scott and addressed by JUSTICE's director Roger Smith, heard of the continuing role that JUSTICE enjoys despite the growth of other campaigning groups, and the respect in which it is held among the senior judiciary due to the thoroughness of its research.
It also agreed that there are gaps in Scotland in oversight especially of criminal justice and human rights issues, and a need for a body comprising both legal and non-lawyer members, and those of all political parties.
Criminal appeal specialist Margaret Scott QC is to chair the steering group, which will be pleased to hear from people interested in supporting the proposed body. Around 70 or 80 expressions of interest have already been received.