Forum of independent legal experts

Government and non-government legal experts who advise the Advocate General on the strengths of Scotland's constitutional arrangements.

Legal and constitutional matters affect almost every aspect of our day-to-day lives and it is important that people have a clear understanding of the choices an independent Scotland would face and who it would need to negotiate with to resolve these matters.

In August 2012, the Advocate General for Scotland, Lord Wallace of Tankerness QC, set up a forum of independent legal experts to consider the strengths of Scotland’s constitutional arrangements which have been significantly modernised through devolution over the past 13 years, and to explore the issues that would confront Scotland if it voted to separate from the rest of the United Kingdom.

The legal forum’s analysis will inform the programme of work announced by the Secretary of State for Scotland in June 2012 to assess the benefits of Scotland remaining part of the United Kingdom. The intention is to provide the people of Scotland with facts and clarity to inform the debate before they vote in the independence referendum.

More details of the UK government’s work to inform the debate is available on the policy page.

You can find out who attended meetings of the forum here:

Contact details

enquiries@advocategeneral.gsi.gov.uk