Client successfully challenges relevant person status of grandparents

This case concerns Relevant Person status in the Children's Hearings System. Clan Childlaw represented a 14-year-old girl who successfully challenged the Relevant Person status of her grandparents.

Case summary

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Rights of Attendance at Children's Hearings

This case study addresses commonly asked questions about the rights of attendance in children's hearings: who has the right to attend, does the child have to go, who can be the child's representative and other considerations.
Current Vacancies

We are hiring an Impact and Evidence Lead, Fundraising Manager and Office Manager
Clan Childlaw responds to the Children's Care and Justice Bill consultation

27 Jun 2022 | Clan Childlaw has submitted a response to the Scottish Government consultation on the Children's Care and Justice Bill. Our submission focused on the need to uphold the human rights of children who are in conflict with the law in Scotland.
Update on the UNCRC Bill in Scotland

25 May 2022 | Yesterday the Scottish Government announced how it plans to bring the UNCRC Bill within the Scottish Parliament’s devolved powers following the Supreme Court ruling in October 2021.

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

On 11th May 2018 we organised a conference to mark Clan Childlaw's 10 years looking at progress made and challenges ahead in defending children's rights in Scotland
Clan at 10

Events & Fundraising marking our 10th anniversary
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.

Access to Records
What changes will the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 make for children and young people?

The Children (Scotland) Act 2020 improves legal protection for children's right to be heard in courts and children's hearings and their right to a family life with their brothers and sisters - this blog explains the changes it will make
What we do

Clan Childlaw is Scotland's law centre for children and young people. We protect and strengthen children’s rights and improve their lives.
Changes to the Law for Brothers and Sisters

On 26 July 2021, the law changed on what local authorities and Children’s Hearings have to do to support brothers and sisters.
Sibling rights

We have long called for the law to be changed to prioritise care experienced children and young people's sibling relationships and are delighted that these changes are now law
Current Vacancies

We are hiring an Impact and Evidence Lead, Fundraising Manager and Office Manager
Are you a child or young person without British citizenship? Here’s some advice on how to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme

Children and young people, including care leavers, must apply to the EU Settlement scheme if they are an EU, EEA or Swiss national. The deadline to apply is 30 June 2021.
UNCRC in Scotland: What does the UK Government’s legal challenge mean?

Our Legal Policy Manager Janet Cormack explains what has happened so far with UNCRC in Scotland and what could happen next.
Child law case summaries

Summaries of cases undertaken by Clan Childlaw.
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!