Concordats
The statutory framework for devolution set out in the Scotland Act 1998 is underpinned by the Memorandum of Understanding and four Overarching Concordats (on International Relations, the EU, Financial Assistance to Industry and Statistics) between the UK Government and the three devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland).
There are also more detailed bilateral Concordats between the Scottish Government and individual UK Government Departments. The Concordats are non-legally binding agreements whose purpose is to facilitate good relations between the administrations. They are underpinned by Devolution Guidance Notes (DGNs) issued by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister after consultation with the devolved administrations, and by the Statement and guidance on Devolution in Practice, which was re-issued by the Prime Minister and the Leaders of the devolved administrations in October 2002.
Full list of concordats
The Department for Constitutional Affairs
The Scotland Office, and the role of the Secretary of State for Scotland, became part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs in June 2003. They represent Scottish interests in matters that are reserved to the UK Parliament and promote the devolution settlement for Scotland.
Advocate General for Scotland
The Advocate General for Scotland is a Law Officer of the Crown and (as such) principal legal adviser to the Government on Scots Law and exercises statutory functions under the Scotland Act.
Bills of the Scottish Parliament to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for decisions on their competence. Proceedings can be raised in the courts or the Judicial Committee on devolution issues (i.e. questions whether legislation or acts are within legislative or devolved competence, or whether they are compliant with human rights or EC law).
The Office of the Solicitor to the Advocate General for Scotland (OSAG), within the Department for Constitutional Affairs, provides legal services in Scotland to UK Government departments. It provides legal advice in relation to Scots law, instructs UK legislation applying to Scotland and represents departments in litigation in the Scottish Courts.