§ 27. Mr. McFallTo ask the Advocate-General in what proportion of the devolution issue cases referred to her she has intervened since 3 April. [159316]
The Advocate-General for ScotlandFrom 3 April to 30 April, 31 devolution issue cases have been intimated to me. Twenty two of these related to delay in criminal proceedings. I have considered each one and judged that no intervention was appropriate.
§ 28. John RobertsonTo ask the Advocate-General what criteria she applies in reaching her decisions on which devolution issue cases to intervene in. [159317]
The Advocate-General for ScotlandI examine every devolution issue intimated to me before determining whether or not to intervene. The criteria I apply are not rigid, and generally I intervene, at appeal or Privy Council level, where the case raises important issues of principle for the UK as a whole. Many cases involving devolution issues raise similar points and are dealt with satisfactorily by the lower courts and therefore I intervene less frequently at first instance.