The politics of family policy-making in post-devolution Scotland: the case of family law reforms

Abstract

The promise of devolution was ‘to do politics differently’ by creating a more plural, consensual and participative political landscape. In this context, it might be expected that post-devolution Scotland would provide a fertile environment for fostering innovation in family policy-making. This study explores the role of civil society in family policy-making in postdevolution Scotland, investigating who influences the family policy agenda and how political activity by civil society impacts on government policy. This briefing details some of these findings and examines the role different groups played in the development of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006.