About Us

What We Do

The Scottish Child Law Centre is an independent charitable organisation, based in Edinburgh, which provides services to the whole of Scotland.  The aim of the Centre is to promote knowledge and use of Scots law and children's rights for the benefit of children and young people in Scotland.

We provide a free legal advice service, by telephone, email and text message, on all aspects of Scots law relating to children and young people, including education; health; social work; divorce; residence; contact; children's rights; youth offenders; and access to files. Unlike other advice services, all our calls are answered by fully qualified lawyers.   We are also working in conjunction with Barnardos on a new Project 'Take Note' which provides information and support on the Additional Support Needs of children and young people.

In addition the Centre provides training on all aspects of the law in Scotland as it affects children and young people, workshops to youth groups and schools, speakers for conferences, responds to changes in legislation and organises conferences and seminars.   The Centre also produces up-to-date publications on a range of issues relating to children and young people.,

The Centre also has a consultative and advisory function for local and central government and, through this, constantly seeks to improve the content and practice of child law.

Our Staff

Morag Driscoll (Director)
Morag is a qualified solicitor with a background in family law practice and representing children and has been a Reporter to the Children's Hearing. Morag has been a member of the Council of the Law Society of Scotland and is currently Convenor of their Family Law Committee.

Iris Quar (Solicitor)
Iris is a qualified solicitor with a background in family law practice and extensive experience in advising on child law issues.  Iris is a Trustee and member of the management committee of the Still Birth and Neonatal Death Society Lothians (SANDS) an organisation which supports the bereaved families of stillborn babies and babies who die shortly after their birth.

Evelyn Hay (Office Manager)
Evelyn is the Office Manager at the Scottish Child Law Centre.  She has over 20 year’s experience of working in the voluntary sector and has a particular interest in supporting work with children and young people.

Stewart Maclachlan (Solicitor - Part Time)
Stewart is a qualified solicitor who has previously worked in private practice in litigation, family and education law. He has experience advising on child law issues. Stewart takes the lead on advice to the 'Take Note' Service.

Paul Taylor (Trainee Solicitor)
Paul has recently graduated in law from the University of Edinburgh and is very interested in child/family law. Paul has a natural enthusiasm for this area of law and is looking forward to working with the rest of the SCLC team. 

Emma-Jane Harrington (Administrative Assistant - Part Time)
Emma-Jane has over 10 year's experience working in administration and is particularly interested in supporting the work of charities. Emma-Jane also has a background in photography and web design and is employed as part of the 'Take Note' Service.
 

Board of Trustees

• Maggie Mellon (Chair)
• Gillian Donald (Treasurer)
• Alison Kerr Robinson
• Bruce Adamson
• Pauline Hoggan
• David Nichols
• Professor Lesley McAra
• Morag Jack
• Professor James Furnell