The Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Justice, commonly referred to as the Justice Secretary, is a cabinet position in the Scottish Government. The position was created in 1999 as the Minister for Justice, with the advent of devolution and the institution of the Scottish Parliament, taking over some of the roles and functions of the former Scottish Office Minister for Home and Health that existed prior to 1999.
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice is responsible for 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 following executive agencies report to him:
- Accountant in Bankruptcy
- Scottish Prison Service
- Scottish Court Service
Like the UK Secretary of State for Justice, but unlike some other justice ministers, he does not have any oversight of prosecutions - in Scotland these are handled by the Lord Advocate.
The current Cabinet Secretary for Justice is Kenny MacAskill who was appointed to the role after the Scottish Parliamentary Election of 2007.
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