Written Question · S3W-37745 · Session 3
What consideration it will give to the access to justice requirements of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participati…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it will give to the access to justice requirements of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters when replacing the current tests of title and interest with a single and simpler test of sufficient interest, as stated in its response to the Report of the Scottish Civil Courts Review.
The answer
Development of future legislation will take account of the international obligations of the Scottish Government, including any imposed as a consequence of the Aarhus Convention. Greater access to justice for non-governmental organisations is already provided by two Scottish Statutory Instruments (2005/510 and 2006/614), which extend title and interest to such bodies in relation to environmental matters. Furthermore, the planned introduction of a simpler test of sufficient interest, as recommended in the report of the Scottish Civil Courts Review, will broaden access to justice generally.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-37745 by reference.