What is UNCRC incorporation?
Incorporation of the UNCRC means it gets written into a country’s law at a national level, a level known as domestic law.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill has now passed the Scottish Parliament, and will soon become Scots law. Once it does, it’ll come into force within six months.
When a Convention is incorporated into Scots law, it has more power to bring about change. Often, this happens through cultural change. But this is underpinned by the fact the law can be used in Scottish courts.
Listen to former Commissioner Bruce Adamson on why incorporation is so important
The story so far…
Incorporation of the UNCRC puts children’s rights into the heart of everything we do. It takes the international promises we’ve signed up to and gives them real force in Scotland.
It’s the most important thing Scotland can do to protect the rights of children and young people. On 16 March 2021, the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill, meaning UNCRC incorporation will soon be a reality in Scotland.
However, The UK Government has challenged specific areas of the UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill in the UK Supreme Court.
In response, former Commissioner Bruce Adamson released this statement, stating it was vital that the challenge by the UK Government should not create unnecessary delay to the much-needed rights protections it will provide.
On the 6 October 2021 the Supreme Court published their judgment and our office made this statement. The judges unanimously decided that four sections of the Bill went beyond the powers of the Scottish Parliament. Until changes are made to those sections, the Bill cannot become law – which means children’s rights will not be fully protected.
On the 24th May 2022, the Deputy First Minister said the Scottish Government is looking at the changes that need to be made to the Bill to address the Supreme Court judgment.
In response, our office is continuing to call for the Scottish Government to take action to address the Supreme Court’s concerns urgently.
Together Scotland has produced really helpful resources which go into more detail over the original legal challenge as well as explaining the complexities of the latest developments.
Frequently asked questions
No.
The Scottish Parliament has limited powers, so there are some things it can’t make laws about.
The UK Government believes some parts of the Bill go beyond these powers, and these are the parts it is challenging.
But it is only challenging these parts, and not the Bill as a whole. On 24th May 2022, the Deputy First Minister said the Scottish Government is looking at the changes that need to be made to the Bill to address the Supreme Court judgment.
Together Scotland’s website has more detail about the specifics of the UK Government’s challenge.
Together Scotland’s Website also has more detail about the latest statement made by the Scottish Government, explaining what amendments to the bill are needed which may mean incorporation can happen sooner.
It doesn’t have to.
The UK Government’s challenge will delay the Bill getting Royal Assent― where the King approves a Bill and so makes it become a law.
The UNCRC Incorporation Bill says it must come into force within six months of receiving Royal Assent. But that doesn’t mean children and young people in Scotland have to wait the full six months: they’ve already waited long enough.
After Royal Assent, the Scottish Government has the power to make the law commence before six months have passed.
Adult duty bearers across Scotland should work to make sure incorporation happens as soon as possible. Nothing about the UK Government’s challenge changes that.
More in the Rights questions and answers section
More useful information on incorporation
Our work on UNCRC Incorporation
Recent work our office has done around the incorporation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.
How you can help make rights real
Information to help children, young people and adults learn more about the UNCRC and about putting it into action.