The public petitions system has now closed ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections on 7 May 2026. It is not possible to submit a new petition to the Scottish Parliament or sign a petition until after the election.

The petitions system will reopen at the start of the new parliamentary session.

For more information about the petitions process, please contact the committee team at petitions.committee@parliament.scot.

For more information about the election campaign period and the dissolution of the current parliament, please visit the Scottish Parliament’s Election 2026 webpage: https://www.parliament.scot/msps/elections/election-2026

Closed petition PE2085: Introduce a statutory definition of residency for Fatal Accident Inquiries into the deaths of Scots abroad

Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce a statutory definition for Fatal Accident Inquiries into deaths abroad.

Background information

We were informed through a third party and not official channels about the death of our dearly loved family member overseas. We have named suspects, suspected foul play and motive.

It’s clear that the system defined by the Lord Advocate is broken and not understood by the Scottish Government as the ‘term ordinarily resident’ is undefined in law.

The common response is that the 2016 Lord Cullen report offers extra support. There have been no FAIs following the deaths of Scots abroad since its introduction, despite statements from the Scottish Government that FAIs would take place if it is in the public interest to do so or an investigation would prevent further deaths.

Scotland should afford as a minimum similar protection and support as England and Wales when an individual who lives or works abroad is repatriated.

Most families, if correctly informed of the differences and lack of intervention by Scotland would choose to repatriate to England or Wales. Clearly, it’s the duty of the Scottish Government to make the UK Government aware of this.

  • Created by David Cornock
  • Date closed 25 February 2026

This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament

Find out about the decisions taken on this petition

245 signatures