Scottish Catholic Observer

A legal challenge to block the Scottish Government’s controversial plan to have a ‘named person’ for every child has been rejected.

Court of Session judge Lord Pentland today refused a petition for judicial review of the provision in the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014.

Under Part 4 of the legislation, which was passed by MSPs almost a year ago, every person under 18 years of age will have a ‘named person’ in the form of a midwife, health visitor or teacher from August next year.

However, campaigners behind the challenge are now ‘considering all options for appeal’ amid signs this will only be the first stage in a lengthy legal battle.

The Catholic Church in Scotland is one of the groups that has spoken out against the legislation. Archbishop Leo Cushley of St Andrews and Edinburgh, (above) said that the ‘Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is fully committed to ensuring the wellbeing of children,’ but that this legislation was questionable as it could undermine the ‘stability of family life’.

“The issue is not going away, the potential problems are not going away and No To Named Persons will not be going away,” a spokesman for NO2NP, the campaign group incorporating the petitioners, said. “We are considering all options for appeal. Our case is strong, as is our resolve. We have the opinion of one judge on this matter but it is often the case that when such important and fundamental issues are being considered the matter goes before a bench of three or more.”

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