Image source, bbc

Mr Matheson accepts: "I know there were concerns expressed during the scrutiny process about the complexity that might be involved in applying.

"That is not the intention of the Scottish government and I can confirm the Scottish Government will work closely with the Equality Network and other stakeholders to make the process of applying for a disregard as straightforward as possible."

The minister stresses the importance of emphasising that the pardon is symbolic and that a person who wants to ensure that any convictions they have for same-sex sexual activity that is now lawful are removed from the criminal history system must apply for a disregard.

Brian Taylor
BBC Scotland Political Editor

On the floor of the chamber, sympathy and solemn determination. In the public gallery, tears of joy. The occasion? An apology from the first minister for the conviction of gay men under previous laws.

As Labour's Kezia Dugdale noted, apologies are rare events in politics and customarily have to be wrung from an unwilling government by the persistence of opposition parties.

This, as she also generously noted, was of a very different character. It was a sincere apology from the FM, delivered with power and empathy.

Furthermore, Nicola Sturgeon was apologising on behalf of a much wider constituency. By definition, she was not apologising for personal or political failings.

Read more here.

Last November, Nicola Sturgeon offered an unequivocal apology to gay men convicted of sexual offences that are no longer illegal.

The first minister's apology coincided with new legislation that will automatically pardon gay and bisexual men, external convicted under historical laws.

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament, the first minister said it was "shocking" that consenting sexual activity between men in Scotland was still classed as a criminal activity until so recently.

She added: "Before then, hundreds of people in Scotland were liable to be convicted as criminals, simply for loving another adult."

Read more here.

Mr Matheson explains the pardon is automatic.

While pardoning something often suggests excusing something that was wrong, the minister emphasises this is not the case and points to the first minister's unqualified apology.

Turning to the disregard, Mr Matheson states this is a practical measure to stop any discrimination of gay men due to convictions on their criminal records.

He assures the chamber that the process for applying for a disregard will keep bureaucracy to an "absolute minimum".

Image source, bbc

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson pays tribute to the help given by stakeholders in scrutinising the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) Bill, external, particularly Tim Hopkins from the Equality Network.

Mr Hopkins, who is in the gallery, receives the applause of MSPs in the chamber.

Mr Matheson says: "Much remains to be done and this Parliament should continue to explore where discrimination exists and what action can be taken to help reduce and eliminate such discrimination."

This Bill is a continuing part of this process, says the minister.

He reminds the chamber makes provision in two distinct, but connected areas:

• Firstly, it provides a pardon to people who were convicted of historical sexual offences that criminalised sexual activity between men for activity that is now legal
• Secondly, it puts in place a scheme to enable a person who has been convicted of a historical sexual offence to apply to have that conviction ‘disregarded’ so that it will never be disclosed as, for example, part of an enhanced disclosure check

Image source, Getty Images

The Bill makes provision in two separate, but connected areas:

• It provides a pardon to people who were convicted of historical sexual offences that criminalised sexual activity between men for activity that is now legal; and
• It puts in place a scheme to enable a person who has been convicted of a historical sexual offence to apply to have that conviction ‘disregarded’ so that it will never be disclosed as, for example, part of an enhanced disclosure check.

MSPs will now debate the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) (Scotland) Bill at stage 3, the final step of the process.

Here is the Bill as amended at stage 2., external

There are no stage 3 amendments.

Labour MSP Pauline McNeill raises recent changes to the terms and conditions of interpreters used by the courts service.

Image source, Getty Images

In January we reported new rules that entitle anyone in police custody to legal advice will be unworkable, solicitors have warned.

Currently in Scotland, only those being interviewed by police have the right to speak with a solicitor.

From 25 January that will change to include everyone in custody, sparking fears about solicitors' workload.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board said contingency plans were being put in place to deal with a mass boycott by solicitors in response to the change.

Read more.

SNP MSP Richard Lyle wonders about plans to amend the entitlement to access legal aid.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says in 2006-7 there were 419,257 crimes recorded.

This compares to 238,651 crimes in 2016-17, he states.

Mr Gibson welcomes the figures but urges the minister to not become complacent.

This is echoed by Mr Matheson, who goes on to detail efforts to tackle domestic abuse and violence against women in particular.

Image source, Police Scotland

Serious assaults, murder and robbery are increasing in Scotland, according to documents obtained by the BBC.

After more than a decade of violent crime and knife use falling, the papers show that the use of weapons in west central Scotland is also up.

Police Scotland said violent crime was down over the past five years.

They said much violent crime was "common assaults" and many were domestic assaults which had been under-reported in the past.

Police said crime overall was down to a 40-year low.

Read more.

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson asks what the level of recorded crime was in 2006-07 and the last year for which figures are available.

Image source, bbc

Legal Affairs Minister Annabelle Ewing points out that the review is independent of government and expects publication in the autumn.

Ms Fabiani highlights constituents who she says are disenfranchised as they do not have the right to appeal anywehr but the Court of Session which is prohibitively expensive.

Ms Ewing is confident recommendations on this issue will be contained in the review.

Image source, Getty Images

The professional body for Scotland's solicitors called for wide-ranging reforms to the way legal services are regulated in January.

The Law Society of Scotland claims the current regulatory framework is "in drastic need of modernisation" and is "no longer fit for purpose".

It has put forward 11 recommendations for change to an independent review of legal services regulation.

They include overhauling the legal complaints system.

Read more here.

SNP MSP Linda Fabiani asks will the Scottish government will report on the consultation on its Review of the Regulation of Legal Services.

Solicitor General Alison di Rollo says COPFS is committed to supporting rape complainers as they give evidence to trial.

The court can be cleared as the complainer is giving evidence, she highlights, though this is a decision for each individual trial.

Ms di Rollo adds that guidance is also provided to the media on the reporting of rape cases.

Mr Finnie says social media poses a challenge to anonymity.

The solicitor general agrees, and she confirms authorities will consider any complaints from rape complainers about this.

Fear of unwanted publicity is a natural concern of rape complainers, she states.

The Scottish government is committed to protecting the identity of witnesses, including ensuring anonymity for rape complainer she adds.

Image source, Getty Images

In March we reported posecutors have been reviewing the way they deal with reluctant complainers in rape cases and have produced new guidance.

But Rape Crisis Scotland said issuing warrants for the arrest of victims who do not wish to testify in court would reduce confidence in the system.

The Crown Office said it consulted with stakeholders before making the change.

The new policy has already come into force.

Read more here.