Campaigners Against 'Named Person' Plans To Head To Supreme Court
Campaigners against Scottish Government's plans to appoint named guardians for children are to take their battle to the Supreme Court next year.
A legal challenge at Scotland's top civil court failed earlier this year but the No To Named Persons (NO2NP) campaign group have secured a hearing at the Supreme Court in London in March.
The government measure, contained in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act, assigns a ''named person'' - such as a teacher or health visitor - to look out for the welfare of children under 18.
NO2NP argue that ministers have exceeded their powers and are in breach of data protection laws and the human rights of parents but a judge at the Court of Session refused a petition for the judicial review of legislation back in January.
The campaign group have stated they could even take the case to European courts in search of a favourable review.
Campaign spokesman Simon Calvert said: 'The right to a family life unhindered by state interference is of such vital importance that we feel we have no option but to bring the matter before the Supreme Court. Fundamental issues are at stake here for families across Scotland and it is right that we use all the legal measures at our disposal to stand up for those families and their right to a private life.'
He added: 'Mums and dads must be allowed to bring up their children as they see fit and not according to government checklists. Although we would rather the Scottish Government saw sense without another court battle, right now it seems necessary to make these arguments in the Supreme Court.'
The Supreme Court appeal is based on three areas where NO2NP believe the Court of Session 'erred'.
It centres on the principles of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, interpretation of data protection law and what powers are reserved to Westminster.
Mr Calvert said: 'We do not believe that the judges engaged properly with the arguments we put forward so we are taking them to the Supreme Court. Ultimately we may even have to go to Europe. If the nature of the named person scheme was as the court described, then we would not have brought this action in the first place. The judgment states that a named person is unable to interfere in family life but merely able to make 'an offer of help, which may simply be rejected'. But the legislation gives a named person broad powers to interfere without parental consent.'