The Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee will conclude its work this Parliament in March 2026 ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election. So the Committee has time to complete its work, it has agreed not to consider petitions submitted after 10 October.
The Committee will continue to meet but given the volume of petitions and agreed work programme it is unlikely that the Committee would be able to meaningfully progress work on petitions submitted after 10 October ahead of the election. Petitions lodged after this date will not fall when the Parliament is dissolved and will be for the successor committee to consider in the new session.
If you are seeking urgent action or policy change please contact one of your 8 MSPs or the Scottish Government directly.
Closed petition PE1917: Provide full legal aid to all parents fighting for access to their children
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to provide full legal aid to all parents who are fighting for access to their child/children regardless of their income.
Previous action taken
I have contacted my local councillor and spoken with my MSP and they have advised that I raise a petition with the Scottish Parliament.
Background information
It would reduce mental health issues and suicide rates if we could allow all parents legal aid when fighting for access to their children in courts regardless of their income. Money should not come in-between a child having a relationship with their parents. Parents are having to pay for access contact centers and court fees and unfortunately in some cases when parents run out of money to fight for access to their kids they have sadly ended their own lives. I had over 60 men write their own stories to me about fighting for their kids, struggling to afford court fees and feeling like giving up, all very similar circumstances. Granting legal aid would put an end to this and benefit the next generation.
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
365 signatures