Related Links

SPICe briefings

Summary of Bills passed in sessions 1 and 2 (1999 - 2007)”

Private Bills

Hybrid Bills

Committees

Scottish Government

Westminster Bills

Glossary

Guide to Tracking Scottish Parliament Bills - (50KB pdf)

A Bill is a draft law. Bills are either public - seeking to change the general law - or private - seeking powers for a particular individual or organisation that are in excess of or in conflict with the general law. A Hybrid Bill is a Public Bill which adversely affects a particular interest of a person or a body in a way that is different to the interests of other people or bodies in the same category or class.

Public Bills can be introduced by a member of the Scottish Government/Executive (an “Executive Bill”), a parliamentary committee (a “Committee Bill”), or an individual member of Parliament (a Member’s Bill”). Private Bills are introduced by the person seeking the powers provided for by the Bill.

For general information on Bills and the legislative process contact the Legislation Team.

Please note that the legislation team is unable to give advice on the general law of Scotland or on the legal interpretation of statutes. Anyone seeking advice on the implementation of an Executive Bill already passed by the Scottish Parliament (including information on the commencement date of such a Bill) is advised to contact the Government/Executive directly.

For Bills currently before Parliament go to the Current Bills page.