Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed plans to progress Scotland’s ground-breaking children’s rights legislation, announced by Deputy First Minister John Swinney today. The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill was backed unanimously by the Scottish Parliament in March 2021, but could not be implemented because of a legal challenge brought by the UK Government. In October, the Supreme... Continue Reading →
Incorporation of UNCRC into Scots Law Agreed in Principal
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the progress made to incorporate the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child into Scots Law. The Scottish Parliament voted to accept the general principals of embedding the UN Convention into law to strengthen and protect rights for children and young people in Scotland. This follows months of evidence... Continue Reading →
Equal Protection from Assault Act Comes Into Force
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the introduction of legislation that gives children the same legal protection from assault as adults. The Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Act 2019, otherwise known as the ‘smacking ban’ came into effect on Saturday 7 November and removes the outdated defence of “reasonable chastisement” from the physical assault of... Continue Reading →
Standards in Secure Care Overhaul to Improve Children’s Rights
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the development of new national standards for secure care which sets out what support children should expect from professionals when in the community or secure care. The Secure Care Pathway and Standards Scotland ensure support is provided before, during and after care and that the rights of children and young... Continue Reading →
Family Court Process to Be More Child Friendly
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the passing of legislation which makes radical changes to family court proceedings more child friendly. The Children (Scotland) Bill will require all children’s views will have to be heard and taken into account in family cases, subject to extremely limited exceptions. The presumption that only children aged 12 and over... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 