10-year anniversary conference: Defending Children's Human Rights in Scotland: Where are we now?

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Panel discussion on 21st July, 1pm: Brothers and Sisters in Children's Hearings - What did the Supreme Court decide?

Join Lucy Frazer and Alison Reid from Clan Childlaw and Lynda Brabender QC who represented ABC in the Supreme Court for a panel discussion exploring what the decision means for young people who would like to be part of children’s hearings being held for their brothers and sisters.
ABC v Principal Reporter and another - further reading

This page provides background information about the Supreme Court judgment in ABC v Principal Reporter and another which was handed down on 18th June 2020
Press Release – Children’s Hearings held to be compatible with Human Rights in relation to brothers and sisters

The Supreme Court today published its judgment in relation to Clan Childlaw’s leading case involving the rights of brothers and sisters in children’s hearings. Read our response to the judgment here.
Housing Law Response Project - Covid-19

Young people in Scotland can now get free expert legal advice to tackle homelessness from Clan Childlaw’s new Housing Law Response Project.

Clan Childlaw wins Pro-Bono Award at The Herald Law Awards of Scotland 2019

We are delighted to have won the Pro-Bono award sponsored by the Law Society of Scotland at The Herald Law Awards on Wednesday 27th November.
Launch of the Care Leavers' Law Service

On 18th June 2019 we welcomed nearly 100 colleagues from across the sector to the Lighthouse in Glasgow for an engagement and launch event for our new Care Leavers’ Law Service, a 5-year, Scotland-wide project funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.
Clan Childlaw 10-year Anniversary Parliamentary Reception

On 6th November 2018 we hosted a reception in the Scottish Parliament entitled ‘Clan Childlaw: 10 years of access to justice for children and young people’. We were delighted to announce our new Care Leavers' Law Service at the event.
Clan at 10

Events & Fundraising marking our 10th anniversary
Client successfully challenges relevant person status of grandparents

In CF v MF, GF and Locality Reporter [2017] CSIH 44, our client successfully challenged the relevant person status of her grandparents
Winners of Pro Bono Award at Scottish Legal Awards 2017

We were delighted to be awarded the Pro Bono award at the Scottish Legal Awards 2017
Street Legal launched

Launched in 2016, Street Legal is an innovative partnership project between Clan Childlaw and Rock Trust providing free legal advice and help to young people (up to the age of 26) who are either experiencing, or at risk of homelessness in Edinburgh.
Intervening in AB v Her Majesty's Advocate

We intervened in this case to put forward a child law perspective. The Supreme Court found a provision of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 incompatible with article 8 ECHR.
Intervening in the Named Person case

We intervened as third party to present the children's rights perspective in the Named Person case in the Court of Session and Supreme Court.
5-year anniversary conference: Making Rights Real

In March 2014 Clan Childlaw and CELCIS hosted and innovative and interactive conference promoting adopting a child-centred and integrated children’s rights approach to looked after children, for all those involved in their lives.

What we do
Law student essay competition

To mark our 10-year anniversary, we asked law students around Scotland: What is the biggest children’s rights issue in Scotland and how can the law be used to resolve it? Congratulations to winner Michael Malvenda!
Child law case summaries

Summaries of cases undertaken by Clan Childlaw.
Legal Training

Our specialist training ensures you have a good working knowledge of Scottish child law in action, providing essential understanding to help you achieve positive outcomes for your clients.
Alison Reid

Principal Solicitor and Chief Executive
Sibling contact

The law as it currently stands does not allow children and young people to easily address sibling separation and contact, especially care experienced children and young people. We are calling for the law to be changed to prioritise sibling relationships.
Get legal help for a child or young person

Information for professionals, support, advocacy, and advice workers or foster carers seeking help with the law or a legal problem for a child or young person they are working with. You will find frequently asked questions, case studies and other information on this page.
Clan at 10

Events & Fundraising marking our 10th anniversary
A-Z resource library

Comprehensive library of material relating to children and young people's rights. This is reference point for all legal questions and problems children and young people might have.
Brothers and sisters matter

Brothers and sisters who are looked after by a local authority or are experiencing family separation often need support to stay in contact. Clan Childlaw is working in different ways to help promote sibling contact.

Legal Training

Our specialist training ensures you have a good working knowledge of Scottish child law in action, providing essential understanding to help you achieve positive outcomes for your clients. Read more

Launch of the Care Leavers' Law Service

On 18th June 2019 we welcomed nearly 100 colleagues from across the sector to the Lighthouse in Glasgow for an engagement and launch event for our new Care Leavers’ Law Service, a 5-year, Scotland-wide project funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. Read more

UNCRC incorporation in Scotland - our consultation response

28th August 2019 - We are delighted the Scottish Government has committed to incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law. Read our response to the public consultation. Read more

What changes are there to children’s hearings during Covid-19?

New law has been put in place for children’s hearings and for looked after children during Covid-19. This blog explains what it means. Read more

Courts Update

What court cases are going ahead at the moment? Read more