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.

In addition, the Centre produces up-to-date publications on a range of issues, provides training and organises conferences and seminars.

The Centre provides training on all aspects of the law of Scotland as it affects children and young people, and we participate in school conferences and events.

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.

Board of Trustees

• Gillian Donald (Treasurer)
• Rebecca Strachan 
• Maggie Mellon (Chair) 
• Lesley-Anne Barnes 
• Alison Kerr Robinson
• Brenda Robson 
• Bruce Adamson 
• Pauline Hoggan

Our Staff

Director - Morag Driscoll BA(Hons), MA, MPhil, LLB, DipLP, NP

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.

Solicitor - Iris Quar, LLB, DipLP, NP

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.

Office Manager - Evelyn Hay

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