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

The US government has asserted that by killing Osama bin Laden on 1 May 2011, justice has been done. Its view is that the killing was clearly lawful. But the nature, timing and location of the killing have raised various questions under international law. The killing also has possible implications for future policies towards al-Qaeda as well as Libya and other countries.
Killing Osama bin Laden: has justice been done? (127 KB , PDF)
The US government has asserted that by killing Osama bin Laden on 1 May 2011, justice has been done. Its view is that the killing was clearly lawful.
But the nature, timing and location of the killing have raised various questions under international law. Was it self-defence? Was bin Laden a battleground casualty? Did the UN Security Council authorise the killing? Was bin Laden protected by international human rights law? Was it lawful for US forces to act in Pakistan? What about putting bin Laden on trial?
The killing also has possible implications for future policies towards al-Qaeda as well as Libya and other countries.
Killing Osama bin Laden: has justice been done? (127 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.