Register of judges' interests backed by Holyrood committee

A register of interests for all Scottish judges has come a step closer after receiving the backing of a committee of MSPs.

The Scottish Parliament's Public Petitions Committee has declared its support for the move, following lengthy discussions on a petition first lodged in 2012 by campaigner Peter Cherbi.

The full Parliament strongly supported the creation of the register in a debate in 2014, but the idea has been strongly opposed by the Lord President, Lord Carloway, and his predecessor Lord Gill, on the basis of the safeguard of the judicial oath and concerns that it would add to the difficulty in recruiting judges. The Scottish Government and the Judicial Office for Scotland have also indicated that they do not support such a register.

Committee chair Johann Lamont commented: "The committee has concluded that a register of judicial interests is not unworkable and it is the view of the committee that such a register should be introduced." The committee had reached its view having regard to "the principles of opennesss and transparency in public life".

The committee has agreed to refer the petition to the Justice Committee, inviting that committee to consider the petition further, in light of its recommendation.