On 24 August 2021 the First Minister of Scotland committed the Scottish Government to establish a judge-led, Scotland-only, independent public inquiry on COVID-19 by the end of this year. This marks a significant development in the Scottish Government’s position on COVID-19 inquiry matters. Previously, the First Minister had “broadly welcomed” the UK Prime Minister’s commitment to hold a UK-wide, or “four nations” inquiry, although she expected that to begin before the end of 2021 rather than spring 2022 as initially proposed by the Prime Minister.
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Scottish Parliamentary Committee hears evidence on extending recovery of NHS charges to disease claims
On 3 November 2020, the Health and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament continued its stage 1 consideration of the Liability for NHS Charges (Industrial Disease) (Scotland) Bill, taking evidence from: the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), the Forum of Scottish Claims Managers (FSCM), a Professor in occupational and environmental health and from a pursuer’s solicitor.
If enacted, the legislation would allow for the recovery by the state of charges incurred by the health service in treating pursuers with industrial diseases where they obtain compensation for the disease (but only when the cause of action arises after commencement).
Continue readingLimitation in abuse claims: lifting the bar in Scotland
The Scottish Government has reached a firm view that limitation should not operate to extinguish claims of those who suffered child abuse after 1964. A consultation about making this change has just begun. After it closes on 18 September 2015, the Scottish Government has committed to publishing a draft Bill before the end of the 2015/16 Parliamentary Session.