(254)  SCOTS LAW: A ‘POST CODE LOTTERY OF RIGHTS IN THE UK’?

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In an impressive display of devolutionary fervour and political courage, the Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson announced on 10 September 2003 that the Scottish Ministers had agreed to ask the Westminster Parliament to legislate on a UK basis for same sex partnerships, although a Family Law Bill will be introduced shortly in the Scottish Parliament.  Legislation on the topic of same sex partnerships is required to bring Scots and English law into line with the European Convention on Human Rights following recent decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.  Ms Jamieson said: While I accept that for same-sex couples this is a very important issue