Introduction

The Damages (Scotland) Bill was introduced by Bill Butler on 1 June. The Bill implements the recommendations of the Scottish Law Commission in its 2008 report on Damages for Wrongful Death. In doing so, the Bill repeals and re-enacts, with amendments, the provisions of the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976.  The amendments relate, in particular, to how claims for damages are calculated in cases where a person is dying or has died from personal injuries caused by the wrongful act or omission of another. The aim is to make the law simpler, clearer and more consistent, and to reduce the distress and delay caused to victims and relatives.

• Link to the Damages (Scotland) Bill page, from which the Bill and accompanying documents can be accessed.

The Bill was referred to the Justice Committee on 8 June 2010. As Mr Butler is a member of the Justice Committee, he is prevented under the Parliament's standing orders from contributing, in his capacity as a member, to the Committee's scrutiny of the Bill.

Justice Committee - Stage 1 Scrutiny

Call for evidence

The Committee issued a call for written evidence on Friday 25 June 2010. The deadline for written submissions is Tuesday 24 August 2010.

• Call for evidence on the Damages (Scotland) Bill
• Written submissions received

The deadline for completion of Stage 1 is Friday 17 December 2010.

Oral evidence

It is expected that the Committee will take evidence on the Bill at a number of meetings during September 2010. More details will appear on this page once they are confirmed.

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Contact: For specific information on the Bill, please contact Andrew Mylne, Clerk to the Committee, on 0131 348 5195 or email justice.committee@scottish.parliament.uk