Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006

14 Prohibition of paid advocacy etc.

(1) A member shall not by any means, in consideration of any payment or benefit in kind—

(a) advocate or initiate any cause or matter on behalf of any person; or

(b) urge any other member to advocate or initiate any cause or matter on behalf of any person.

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1)—

(a) “any means” shall be construed as the doing of anything by a member in the capacity of a member, whether or not in any proceedings of the Parliament; and

(b) “any payment or benefit in kind” means any payment or benefit in kind—

(i) which the member receives and which may reasonably be considered, after taking into account all the circumstances, to result in some benefit to that member, other than a vote for that member in any election to the Parliament; or

(ii) which the member’s spouse, civil partner or cohabitant receives and which may reasonably be considered, after taking into account all the circumstances, to be provided in connection with the Parliamentary duties of the member and to result in some benefit to that member.

(3) Subsection (1) shall not prevent a member receiving assistance in connection with any of the following matters—

(a) the preparation of a Member’s Bill or of any amendment to a Bill, or any other matter relating to a Bill (whether before, during or after its passage in the Parliament and before it is submitted for Royal Assent); or

(b) a debate upon subordinate legislation (whether before or after its making); or

(c) a legislative consent motion.