Ensuring the Integrity of Scots Criminal Law

That the Parliament welcomes the conclusions of the review group chaired by Lord McCluskey on the examination of the relationship between the High Court of Justiciary and the Supreme Court in criminal cases; welcomes the review group’s comments about the historical independence of the Scottish legal system and its conclusion that this position should be maintained by restoring the High Court to its rightful place at the apex of that system; further welcomes the review group’s suggestion of a certification procedure granted by the High Court of Justiciary for criminal cases; notes the review group’s view that the UK Supreme Court should have a limited jurisdiction, ruling solely on the point of law relating to convention rights arising in criminal cases, and calls on the UK Government to work with the Scottish Government to deliver a solution through the Scotland Bill that reflects the recommendations of the review and preserves the integrity of Scots criminal law.