Commentary on Sections Voluntary registrants
47.Voluntary registration opens the registration scheme to those who deem themselves to undertake lobbying but do not trigger the statutory requirement to register because the lobbying does not amount to engaging in regulated lobbying within the meaning of the Act (see section 1), e.g. lobbying carried out for a person by an individual who is not making the communications in return for payment. This ability to register on a voluntary basis would for example allow an individual or entity to register and submit returns in relation to any engagement they have with MSPs, members of the Scottish Government, junior Scottish Ministers, special advisers or the permanent secretary of the Scottish Government even if there is no requirement for the individual or entity to do so under the Act.
48.A person may apply to be a “voluntary registrant” under section 14, unless the person is already an active registrant. It is for the Clerk to decide whether to enter the applicant in the register or refuse the application.