Judicial Office for Scotland Strategy & Governance Rm-3/R12 Parliament House Parliament Square Edinburgh EH1 1RQ DX 549306 LP 1, Edinburgh 10 01 June 2015

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST

The only information held is by the Judicial Office for Scotland. I can confirm that we hold information in respect of the arrangements made for members of judiciary to attend the Commonwealth Law Conference 2015. In this regard I can confirm that two bookings were made. One booking was for 8 judicial office holders to attend the Commonwealth Law Conference 2015. This was paid for in December 2014. A further booking was made for one other judicial office holder to attend the conference and paid for in February 2015. The total cost for attendance at the conference was £14,823.66. The following judicial office holders were originally booked to attend the conference: Lord President, Lord Justice Clerk, Lord Armstrong, Lord Woolman, Lord Mathews, Lady Dorrian and 3 Sheriffs were authorised to attend on behalf of the Sheriffs Association (names unknown at time of booking). Following the bookings being made, the Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian and Lord Armstrong were unable to attend due to court commitments. Sir Muir Russell was invited to attend the conference and agreed to chair a session entitled “A model form for judicial appointments in the 21st century Commonwealth”. That session was scheduled to take place on the morning of Thursday 16 April.

www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk The Judicial Office for Scotland supports the Lord President in his responsibilities as head of the Scottish judiciary www.scotcourts.gov.uk The Scottish Court Service is responsible for the administration of Scottish courts and the Office of the Public Guardian

Information is also held that confirms that Sheriff Principal Scott agreed to chair a session entitled “Human trafficking and migration”, which was scheduled to take place on the morning of Wednesday 15 April. In respect of the Sheriffs that were booked to attend the conference on behalf of the Sheriffs Association, it became clear in the lead up to the conference that not all could attend for the full conference due to court commitments. Agreement was therefore reached with the conference organisers that different sheriffs could attend for certain days and sessions. The following sheriffs represented the Sheriffs Association at the conference: Sheriff Liddle; Sheriff Wood; Sheriff Di Emidio; Sheriff Jamieson; Sheriff Shead; and Sheriff Pettigrew. Lastly, in respect of the subsequent withdrawal by members of the judiciary relating to the conference booking of Mr Assange, the only information held is a copy of a statement that was issued on 16 April 2015 following a press enquiry. The statement read: “The conference programme was changed to include Mr Assange’s participation at short notice and without consultation. Mr Assange is, as a matter of law, currently a fugitive from justice and it would therefore not be appropriate for judges to be addressed by him. Under these circumstances the Lord President, Lord Gill and the other Scottish judicial office holders in attendance have withdrawn from the conference.” Should you feel dissatisfied with this decision or the manner in which your request has been handled, the Act provides for a review process to be conducted. Should you wish to take advantage of this process you may apply in writing for a review. Your request should provide details of why you wish a review to be carried out and should be made within 40 working days of receipt of this letter to:The Freedom of Information Officer Scottish Court Service Saughton House – Spur N1 Broomhouse Drive Edinburgh EH11 3XD [email protected] Following that review should you still feel dissatisfied, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Scottish Information Commissioner at the following address:Office of the Scottish Information Commissioner Kinburn Castle Doubledykes Road St. Andrews FIFE KY16 9DS

www.scotland-judiciary.org.uk The Judicial Office for Scotland supports the Lord President in his responsibilities as head of the Scottish judiciary www.scotcourts.gov.uk The Scottish Court Service is responsible for the administration of Scottish courts and the Office of the Public Guardian