Kenny MacAskill MSP – Cabinet Secretary for Justice

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice has a wide ranging portfoilio and the responsibilities include: Criminal law and procedure, youth justice, criminal justice social work, police, prisons and sentencing policy, legal aid, legal profession, courts and law reform, anti-social behaviour, sectarianism, human rights, fire and rescue services, community safety, civil contingencies, drugs policy and related matters, liquor licensing, vulnerable witnesses, victim support and civil law, charity law, religious and faith organisations.

The Scottish Government operates on the basis of collective responsiblity. This means that all decisions reached by Ministers, individually or collectively, are binding on all members of the Government. The Guide to Collective Decision Making details the arrangements for supporting collective decision making by Ministers.

In performance of their duties, Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers are expected to behave according to the highest standards of constitutional and personal conduct. The Scottish Ministerial Code details the arrangements for the conduct, principles and precedents which may apply to Ministers.