Category Archives: Constitutional Law

Tarbolton crooner sparks constitutional row

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Iain Nisbet

Jai MacDowall (24) a singer from the village of Tarbolton in Scotland, won Britain’s Got Talent on Saturday night, sparking a constitutional crisis as he did so. The First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, has warned the UK-wide talent show … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Law, Just for Fun, Scottish Government | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

House of Lords Reform Bill

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Iain Nisbet

“It so happens that if there is an institution in Great Britain which is not susceptible of any improvement at all, it is the House of Peers!” So says Lord Mountararat in Gilbert & Sullivan‘s classic light opera, “Iolanthe”.  But … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Law, Ecclesiatical Law, News, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Scot of the Antarctic (Part 2)

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Iain Nisbet

So, I received a nice letter from the Scotland Office, in response to the question posed by visitor to this site, Tim Macdonald.  His question was: Why is this necessary given section 29(2)(a) of the Scotland Act 1998? That is, … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Law, Scottish Parliament | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Hot air weaponry

Posted on December 10, 2010 by Iain Nisbet

More marginalia from the Scotland Bill.  Section 11 would give the Scottish Parliament legislative competence in relation to air weapons.  Specifically, it would give Ministers the power to require a licence to use an airgun or even to prohibit them … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, News, Scottish Government | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Some thoughts on the House of Lords

Posted on June 2, 2010 by Iain Nisbet

Could changes to the House of Lords threaten the Commons’ legislative supremacy? Continue reading →

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Scotland’s Supreme Court(s)?

Posted on January 23, 2010 by Iain Nisbet

Professor Neil Walker of the University of Edinburgh today (22 Jan 2010) published his report to the Scottish Government on the position of the new (UK) Supreme Court within the context of the current constitutional settlement (in Scotland). Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Law, Court of Session, Edinburgh, Scottish Government, Supreme Court | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Megrahi, The FT and 1999

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Iain Nisbet

I noticed a letter in the Financial Times, pointing out that they had in error stated that “Scotland has had a separate legal system and prison service since 1999” Continue reading →

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One Referendum or Two?

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Iain Nisbet

How many referendums (referenda?) would be required to effect Scotland’s independence? Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Law, Politics, Scottish Parliament | Tagged | 1 Comment