Detailed Provisions Functions in relation to the redress scheme Section 9: Duty with respect to ensuring individuals can make informed choices
15.Subsection (1) of section 9 places a duty on the Scottish Ministers, when exercising their general functions under section 8(b) of the Act concerning the provision of information, guidance and support, to use their best endeavours to ensure that applicants and potential applicants to the redress scheme have the opportunity to make informed choices.
16.Subsection (2) requires the Scottish Ministers to prepare and publish a statement (the “summary of options”) setting out information about the options available to individuals in connection with applications, the support and other assistance available under the scheme, and alternatives to the scheme (which could, for example, include raising an action for damages).
17.Subsection (3) requires that the summary of options must contain or set out details of where to find information about: (a) options in relation to making, pausing and withdrawing applications, accepting redress payment offers (including the timescales and the effect of signing and returning a waiver), and requesting reviews of decisions; (b) the sources and types of information or evidence that may or must accompany an application for a redress payment; (c) how such information and evidence may be obtained and shared, including the assistance offered to applicants under the scheme with regard to obtaining it; (d) the importance of obtaining independent legal advice, in particular before accepting an offer of a redress payment and signing and returning a waiver (a key point at which the applicant should be obtaining advice on the legal effect of the waiver); (e) payment of fees for legal work under the scheme; and (f) other support available under the scheme. In addition, subsection (4) provides that the summary may include other appropriate information.
18.The summary will therefore provide applicants and potential applicants with a list of their options under the scheme as well as assurance that they can access support and legal advice through the scheme and will not have to pay for this separately, with a view to them being able to make informed decisions about accessing the redress provided by the scheme. Further provision about the summary of options is included elsewhere in the Act to require it to be provided to applicants at the point at which an application is submitted to the redress scheme (under section 29 of the Act) and at the point when an applicant is notified of a determination made by Redress Scotland (under section 36 of the Act).
19.Subsection (5) requires the Scottish Ministers to keep the summary of options under review and provides that they may make any adjustments required. This will ensure it remains up to date and reflects any developments in the operation of the scheme. Subsection (6) requires that the Scottish Ministers, in complying with their duty under subsection (5), must have regard to any recommendations made by Redress Scotland in its annual report, which, by virtue of paragraph 17(1)(d) of schedule 1 of the Act, must include an assessment of whether applicants for redress appear to have had the opportunity to make informed choices. By virtue of subsection (7), any modified version of the summary of options must also be published.