S K v Paterson, Authority Reporter For East Renfrewshire

of Devolution Issues raised in the Appeal under section 51 of the Children ( Scotland ) Act 1995

in respect of a decision of the Children's Panel for East Renfrewshire made on 6 February 2008

Scottish Ministers, First Intervener: Wolffe, Q.C., Poole ; Solicitor to Scottish Ministers

Introduction [1] The appellant, S K, was born on 19 May 1974 . She is the mother of M M ("the Child"), who was born on 13 November 2006 . As the mother of the Child, the appellant is a "relevant person", within the meaning of section 93(2)(b) of the 1995 Act, in respect of any proceedings before a children's hearing involving the Child before a children's hearing. The appellant has the rights to be present and to be represented at any such hearing.

[2] Within a few months of his birth, the Child was referred to the Children's Hearing for East Renfrewshire . Under the provisions of section 51 of the Children ( Scotland ) Act 1995 ("the 1995 Act") the appellant has appealed to the Sheriff at Paisley against a decision of the children's hearing made on 6 February 2008 in respect of the Child. The respondent in the appeal before the Sheriff, and before this court, is Julie Paterson, Authority Reporter for East Renfrewshire .