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Academics at Edinburgh Law School contribute to UK public policy impact

Thu 8 August 2024

Old College (dusk)

Edinburgh Law School hosts a wide range of legal scholars with expertise in varied areas of the law. Their research helps illuminate issues of public concern within the UK through government consultations, inquiries, and other working groups. Here, we offer a few examples of the ways in which the Law School’s faculty has contributed to public policy debate and governmental inquiries in the UK over the past year. 

In May 2024, Professor Anne-Maree Farrell was one of twelve experts that produced the final report of the Independent Commission on UK Public Health Emergency Powers, which contained a series of recommendations to inform the UK and Scottish COVID-19 inquiries and government planning for future emergencies. Chair of Medical Jurisprudence and Director of the Mason Institute, Professor Farrell was appointed to this Commission in 2022 on account of her expertise on health law and regulation. 

The ‘Policing the Pandemic in Scotland’ research team, led by Professor Susan McVie, was instrumental in influencing a number of the recommendations made by the Independent Commission on UK Public Health Emergency Powers. Chair of Quantitative Criminology, Professor McVie has also given evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry Module 2A on Core UK decision-making and political governance in January. Professor McVie’s input to these inquiries draws on her experience as a member of the Independent Advisory Group established by Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority to address the use of temporary police powers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Also in May 2024, Edinburgh Law School’s Professor of Constitutional Theory and Legal Adviser to the House of Lords Constitution Committee, Stephen Tierney, wrote a briefing note advising on constitutional issues arising from the Post Office (Horizon System) Offences Bill. This Act quashes convictions related to the Post Office’s faulty IT system. Professor Tierney continues his work, advising on an ongoing inquiry - The Governance of the Union: Consultation, Co-operation and Legislative Consent. He has also been asked to advise the Scottish Parliament’s Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee on the issue of framework legislation. 

In April 2024, Edinburgh Law School’s Professor of Feminist and Queer Legal Studies, Sharon Cowan, co-authored a report that presented the findings of a three-year project entitled ‘The Use of Sexual History Evidence and Sensitive Private Data in Scottish Rape and Attempted Rape Trials’. This research was funded by the Scottish Government and the findings highlighted areas where there has been progressive change, as well as areas where further review and improvements are needed to strengthen the rape shield in practice.

Professor Lesley McAra, Chair of Penology, and Professor Susan McVie have both been actively involved in Scottish Government advisory groups set up to review the implementation of the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act, which raised the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) in Scotland to age 12.  In March 2024, Professors McAra and McVie were asked to present the evidence from their research supporting an increase in the MACR to Natalie Don MSP, Minister for Children, Young People and the Promise. A briefing paper has now been to submitted to the Scottish Parliament and Susan and Lesley continue to campaign for justice for children through raising the MACR. This briefing paper is available to download [PDF].

In January 2024, the Law School’s Dr Michael Picard, Lecturer in International Environmental Law, and Dr Rachael Craufurd Smith, Reader in EU Law, were part of a team that submitted a brief to the UK Government in response to its ‘Consultation on Orbital Liabilities, Insurance, Charging and Space Sustainability’. Research students at Edinburgh Law School also contributed to this work. 

Edinburgh Law School also hosts PeaceRep, an award-winning consortium of research institutions, practitioner organisations, and in-country research teams funded by the UK government (2021-2027)). Led by Professor Christine Bell, Professor of Constitutional Law, PeaceRep submitted evidence into the International Development White Paper, with the central message that rethinking development means rethinking conflict resolution. In the last year the team hosted high-level visits from government ministers, who hailed PeaceRep’s world-leading research and extraordinary role in delivering peace and security across the world. 

Learn more about research centres and networks at Edinburgh Law School 

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