The Scottish Ministerial Code provides a code of conduct and guidance on procedures for Members of the Scottish Government and Junior Scottish Ministers.
Click here to access the Code in word format.
Click here to access the Code in pdf format.
Correction (18 June 2009)
Minor corrections to the text and heading of paragraphs 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5 of the Scottish Ministerial Code were made on 18 June 2009. References to the Scottish Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (SPCA) have been replaced with references to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO), reflecting the fact that the SPSO took on the functions of the SPCA following the passage of the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 2002. The reference to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (PCA) in paragraph 7.5 also includes a new reference to the fact that the PCA is commonly known as the 'Parliamentary Ombudsman'. The change to the heading of paragraphs 7.3 and 7.4 has been reflected in the table of contents.
Independent Advisers
The updated Scottish Ministerial Code, which was published on 18 June 2008, introduced, for the first time, a panel of independent advisers, consisting of past Presiding Officers, to guide the First Minister on the application of the Code. Where he deems it appropriate, the First Minister may refer matters to the independent advisers to provide him with advice.
This new procedure was invoked for the first time in January 2009 when the Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, Tavish Scott MSP, requested that the First Minister ask the panel to consider an issue regarding exchanges at First Minister's Questions. The First Minister consented, and following their investigation, the final report of the panel of independent advisers was published on Friday, 6 March 2009.
Click here to access the independent advisers' report of 6 March 2009 in pdf format.