The law underpinning judicial review of administrative action in Scotland is devolved and within the control of the Scottish Parliament. Judicial review functions are within the framework of Scots administrative law, with the power held by the Court of Session.

The time limit for judicial review is set out in the Court of Session Act 1988. The Act provides a three-month time limit for actions to be brought and where it is equitable to do so, allows the court to accept petitions out with this time limit.

The three-month time limit was introduced via the Court Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, following consultation, as this struck an appropriate balance of avoiding unnecessary delay whilst maintaining access to justice.

While the three-month time limit is the ‘standard’ period for bringing a judicial review, the 2014 Act allows for different periods to be set for particular cases. This is relevant as the time period for bringing a judicial review against any decision on any planning application or appeal determined by the Scottish Ministers is six weeks. This is set out in section 239 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997.

The substantive laws regarding the grounds of judicial review in Scotland are similar to those in England and Wales, however the Scottish Government will not express a view about the position in England and Wales.

The Scottish Government is aware of the recent publication of industry figures on the operation of the Build to Rent sector. We are committed to improving conditions for housing investment at scale and will continue efforts to create a favourable environment, working with the sector, including the Housing Investment Taskforce, to achieve this.

Through our recently announced consultation, we are seeking views on proposed exemptions for certain types of property including mid-market rent and build to rent to be exempted from rent control and to specify circumstances where it might be appropriate for landlords to increase rent above the level of the rent cap, could be used.

As noted in the response to S6W-10461, Scottish Enterprise has provided support to the Valneva facility in Livingston although the Lyme disease vaccine candidate VLA15 is not directly supported by Scottish funding.

The introduction of any new national vaccine programme in Scotland is based on the independent expert advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). If VLA15, were to be authorised for use in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and recommended for use by the JCVI, then the Scottish Government would consider the introduction of any such programme.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

Education Scotland is being refocussed to lead curriculum review and improvement. To support this, the Scottish Government has taken the decision to relocate the Registrar of Independent Schools from Education Scotland to the Scottish Government.

We have considered a range of options in coming to this decision, which also aligns with Professor Muir’s recommendation in his review of the national landscape. As well as supporting the refocusing of Education Scotland, it will ensure continued close working between the Scottish Government and the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

NHS National Services Scotland is working to deliver a Primary Care Data and Intelligence platform to unlock the value of primary care data.

Delivery responsibility for the online app for health and social care sits with NHS Education for Scotland (NES), who have been commissioned by the Scottish Government to lead on the overall Digital Front Door Programme. To date, NES have awarded two contracts to the global technology and software engineering consultancy firm BJSS. The first contract, which has now ended, was to assist on the development of the Outline Business Case. The second, which has just been signed, is to assist in the technical development work required for December’s launch of the initial version of online app, as well as further technical work as required for the subsequent roll out from 2026.

The awarding of contracts to suppliers are matters for Network Rail, ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper.

As of 6 May 2025, there are 368 property factors on the Scottish Property Factor Register.

Most GP contractors are responsible for providing their own buildings and facilities. Health Boards are responsible for determining whether contractors are adequately fulfilling their contracts and ensuring the good condition of buildings and facilities directly provided.

The Scottish Government has set up a short life working group to consider existing policies, guidance and legislation which may be impacted by the recent Supreme Court judgment. This work will position us towards a state of readiness to take all necessary steps when the EHRC’s revised Statutory Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations and updated guidance are published.

All public bodies must comply with the law.