Registers of child welfare reporters, curators ad litem and solicitors appointed when an individual is prohibited from conducting their own case: consultation analysis

Glossary of terms

1995 Act

The Children (Scotland) Act 1995

2020 Act

The Children (Scotland) Act 2020

Child welfare reporter

Formerly called "bar reporters". They are court appointed individuals who prepare reports on the best interests of the child.

Children (Scotland) Bill

The Children (Scotland) Act 2020 was called the Children (Scotland) Bill when it was being considered by the Scottish Parliament.

CPD

Continuing professional development

Curator ad litem

An officer of the court who is appointed to represent and protect the interests of an individual lacking full capacity, including a child.

Family law

Covers a wide range of areas including divorce and dissolution, parental responsibilities and rights, contact and residence, and permanence and adoption cases.

GIRFEC

Getting It Right For Every Child

HMRC

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs

Legal Aid

Publicly funded legal assistance allowing individuals to pursue or defend their rights, or pay for their defence, when they could not otherwise afford to do so. When someone applies for legal aid, their application is subject to statutory tests which cover the merits of the case and the means available to the applicant.

Lord President

The most senior judge in Scotland and the head of the judiciary.

PVG

Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme

Safeguarder

Safeguarders are individuals who may be appointed in Children’s Hearings or by sheriffs to safeguard the interests of the child in the proceedings.

SCTS

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. An independent body providing administrative support to Scottish courts and tribunals and to the judiciary.

Sheriff

A judge in the Sheriff Court. Sheriffs deal with the majority of civil (including family) and criminal cases in Scotland.

Sheriff Principal

The Sheriffs Principal head each of Scotland's six Sheriffdoms. They have responsibility for ensuring the efficient disposal of sheriff court business.

Sheriffdom

The geographic areas into which Scotland is divided for the administration of sheriff court business.

SLAB

Scottish Legal Aid Board. SLAB manages the legal aid system in Scotland.

SLCC

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission. An independent body who are the first point of contact for all complaints about lawyers in Scotland.

SSSC

Scottish Social Services Council. The regulator for the social service workforce in Scotland.

UNCRC

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child