Meeting of the Parliament

Time for Reflection Carol Telfer, Chaplain of Glasgow Hospice, Marie Curie followed by Topical Questions Kenneth Gibson S6T-01818 1. To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure optimum ferry capacity to and from Arran, in light of reports that repairs to the MV Caledonian Isles are not expected to conclude before mid-June. Russell Findlay S6T-01830 2. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports that Police Scotland's Proportionate Response to Crime pilot, in which not all reported crimes were investigated, is to be extended across Scotland. followed by Ministerial Statement: Scotland’s Prison Population followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Budget (Scotland) (No. 3) Bill Shona Robison S6M-12295 That the Parliament agrees that the Budget (Scotland) (No. 3) Bill be passed. followed by Decision Time followed by Members' Business — S6M-11980 Stuart McMillan: McClure Solicitors That the Parliament notes with concern the reported failure and subsequent administration of McClure Solicitors in 2021; understands that the firm is believed to have had over 100,000 clients, many of whom held wills or trusts managed by the firm, and that a significant number of those clients will have lived in the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency, where the firm was originally founded in 1853; further understands that, since entering administration, a substantial portion of the firm's former clients remain unaware of its closure and the transfer of their files to another law firm, Jones Whyte in Glasgow, which, it believes, is obligated to provide such files to former clients at no cost if they do not wish to engage its services; acknowledges that, subsequently to the firm entering administration, a number of former clients have reported discrepancies and irregularities in the work carried out by McClure Solicitors, resulting in the need for substantial rework or correction, often incurring costs amounting to hundreds or even thousands of pounds for the former clients; understands that a number of former clients have lodged complaints with the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission regarding the work carried out by McClure Solicitors, and that some of these complaints have led to compensation orders to recompense those affected; notes the Scottish Parliament's passage of the Trusts and Successions (Scotland) Bill, which is aimed at modernising and improving the creation and management of trusts, and acknowledges the ongoing progress on the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill; notes the belief that there should be a formal inquiry in the future to thoroughly examine all aspects of the firm's conduct, its collapse and subsequent events, and to suggest any changes necessary to prevent a recurrence of what it sees as the suffering experienced by many former clients; further notes the belief, however, that the current priority should be assisting those former clients who face substantial legal fees or challenges in selling family homes; notes the encouragement for all MSPs to actively support and assist any of their constituents in need, and further notes the calls for the Scottish Government to consider initiating an information campaign to raise awareness among the potentially thousands of former clients who, it believes, have yet to be informed about the situation and are unaware that their wills, trusts and other legal affairs may not be in order.