Scottish independence referendum: legal issues
A briefing paper on the legal issues surrounding a Scottish independence referendum

This short Bill is intended to amend two UK Acts to enable the Government to ratify two international agreements protecting military medical personnel and humanitarian workers. In line with the protocols, the Bill would firstly sanction and protect the ‘red crystal’ as a new symbol to protect humanitarian personnel in armed conflict instead of (or in addition to) the existing red cross or red crescent; and secondly extend the definition of protected UN workers to include those delivering humanitarian, political or development assistance in peacebuilding operations and those delivering emergency humanitarian protection.
Geneva Conventions and United Nations Personnel (Protocols) Bill [HL] (Bill 69 of 2008-09) (207 KB , PDF)
This short Bill is intended to amend two UK Acts to enable the Government to ratify two international agreements protecting military medical personnel and humanitarian workers. In line with the protocols, the Bill would firstly sanction and protect the ‘red crystal’ as a new symbol to protect humanitarian personnel in armed conflict instead of (or in addition to) the existing red cross or red crescent; and secondly extend the definition of protected UN workers to include those delivering humanitarian, political or development assistance in peacebuilding operations and those delivering emergency humanitarian protection.
Geneva Conventions and United Nations Personnel (Protocols) Bill [HL] (Bill 69 of 2008-09) (207 KB , PDF)
A briefing paper on the legal issues surrounding a Scottish independence referendum
A Migration and Economic Development partnership was agreed between the UK and Rwanda in April 2022. It allows the UK to send some people to Rwanda who would otherwise claim asylum in the UK. A judicial review to consider the lawfulness of the asylum arrangement is due to be heard in mid-July. This briefing provides an overview of the UK-Rwanda asylum arrangement, related legal issues and areas of controversy, and Parliament's role in scrutinising it.
A Backbench Business Committee debate on Iran's nuclear programme is scheduled for Thursday 30 June 2022 in the House of Commons chamber.