Section 16 – Commencement
56.Section 16 sets out the commencement provisions for the Act. Sections 3 to 7 (but not 6(3)) and 13 and 14 come into force on 5 May 2016, but see also the alternative commencement arrangements set out in section 17 of the Act in relation to these provisions. These provisions cover the majority of the changes needed to allow dual reporting to be ended.
57.Sections 2, 6(3), 9 to 12, which cover a minor adjustment to the remuneration category, the retention period relative to old register entries and provision on sanctions (including an adjustment to the paid advocacy prohibition) come into force on 5 May 2016. This will allow these changes all to come into force at the start of the new parliamentary session.
58.Sections 8 (reporting and registration of changes to controlled transactions), 15 (amendment to the 2000 Act to end dual reporting for independent MSPs) and 19 (short title) will come into force on the day after Royal Assent.