Good Law Project to launch Scotland office in 2023

Good Law Project is delighted to announce the opening of its Scotland office.

We have a proud history of litigating in the Scottish courts and we believe Scotland is an important jurisdiction from which to hold power to account. But our expansion is forward looking.

As to the Westminster Government, both data and anecdote suggest a serious decline in the ability or inclination of the English courts to keep it within the law. We are not alarmed – but nor are we complacent – about what that means for the rule of law.

The settlement between the Kingdoms of Scotland and England in the Union with Scotland Act 1706 and the Union with England Act 1707 preserve the theoretical independence and rights of the Court of Session. What’s more, we believe the very different political climate in Scotland is better placed to preserve the practical independence of its institutions.

As to the Scottish Government, it is and always will be central to Good Law Project’s mission to hold incumbent power to account. We believe challenge and accountability are the best way to secure better quality governance. We mean to play that public interest role in Scotland as we seek to play it in England and Wales.

We also see opportunities for Scotland – with its more flexible rules of procedure – to become an important international centre for public interest litigation against private capital. We would like to play a part in that development.

On Monday we will be advertising for an external affairs manager and a public law lawyer who will together form the initial staff team of the Scotland office.

More than 90% of our income comes from members of the public. If you would like to support our work in Scotland, or generally, you can do so here.