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Part 1S[F1THE COMMISSIONER FOR ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE IN SCOTLAND]

Textual Amendments

[F2The Commissioner]S

Textual Amendments

[F31The Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in ScotlandS

(1)There is to be a Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (the “Commissioner”).

(2)The Commissioner is to be an individual appointed by the Parliamentary corporation with the agreement of the Parliament.

(3)The functions of the Commissioner are those conferred on the Commissioner by the following enactments—

(a) the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 7) ,

(b) the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002 (asp 16) , and

(c) the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4) . ]

Textual Amendments

F42Functions of the CommissionersS

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Textual Amendments

[F53Status of Commissioner and Commissioner’s staffS

(1)Neither the Commissioner nor any member of the Commissioner’s staff—

(a)is a servant or agent of the Crown,

(b)has any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.

(2)The Commissioner’s property is not to be regarded as property of, or property held on behalf of, the Crown.

(3)The Commissioner is, as such, to be regarded as a juristic person distinct from the natural person holding the office.]

Textual Amendments

4Independence of [F6Commissioner]S

In the performance of [F7the Commissioner’s functions, the Commissioner is] not subject to the direction or control of—

(a)any member of the Parliament,

(b)any member of the Scottish [F8Government], or

(c)the Parliamentary corporation.

Textual Amendments

[F95Protection from actions for defamationS

(1)For the purposes of the law of defamation—

(a)any statement made by the Commissioner or a member of the Commissioner’s staff in pursuance of the Commissioner’s functions under the Ethical Standards Act or the Parliamentary Standards Act is absolutely privileged,

(b)any statement made by the Commissioner or a member of the Commissioner’s staff in pursuance of the Commissioner’s other functions has qualified privilege, and

(c)any statement made to the Commissioner or any member of the Commissioner’s staff in pursuance of the purposes of the Ethical Standards Act, the Parliamentary Standards Act or the Public Appointments Act has qualified privilege.

(2) In subsection (1), “statement” has the same meaning as in the Defamation Act 1996 (c.31) . ]

Textual Amendments

F106Designation of Chief CommissionerS

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Textual Amendments

7Appointment of acting CommissionerS

(1)If the office of [F11the] Commissioner is vacant or [F11the] Commissioner is, for any reason and to any extent, unable to act, the Parliamentary corporation may appoint a person (an “acting Commissioner”) to perform the functions of the Commissioner, either generally or in relation to such matters or class of matter as is specified in the terms and conditions of the appointment.

(2)An appointment of an acting Commissioner is for, or until, such time as is specified in the terms and conditions of appointment.

F12(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4)Subject to subsection (5), a person who is not eligible for appointment as [F13the] Commissioner is not eligible for appointment as an acting Commissioner.

(5)Members of the [F14Commissioner’s] staff are eligible for appointment as an acting Commissioner.

F15(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)An acting Commissioner—

(a)may at any time resign by notice given to the Parliamentary corporation,

(b)may at any time be removed from office by the Parliamentary corporation,

(c)subject to this section, holds office on such terms and conditions as the Parliamentary corporation determines, and

(d)is to be regarded for all purposes, except those of sections 9(1) to (4) and 10, as having the same status, functions and rights and being subject to the same restrictions as the Commissioner F16....

(8)The Parliamentary corporation may, in the terms and conditions of appointment of an acting Commissioner, specify the minimum period of notice for the purposes of subsection (7)(a).

Textual Amendments