§ 28. Miss McIntoshTo ask the Advocate-General what assessment she has made of the number of additional cases expected to be brought under the European convention on human rights when it comes into force; and if she will make a statement. [130595]
The Advocate-General for ScotlandThe Government anticipate that the vast majority of convention points will be raised in existing cases rather than new cases. This is certainly the experience in Scotland over the last year. It is expected that a significant number of convention points will be raised following implementation of the Human Rights Act in October, but it is anticipated that the number of challenges will be reduced when the higher courts determine the basis on which the Act and convention are to be applied.