Research and analysis

Scotland analysis: devolution and the implications of Scottish independence

The first paper in the UK government's Scotland analysis series, which looks at Scotland’s place in the UK and how it contributes to and benefits from being part of the UK.

• From: Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland, HM Treasury, Cabinet Office and The Rt Hon Michael Moore
• Published: 11 February 2013
• Last updated: 12 February 2013 — See all updates

Documents

Full report including annex and glossary

Ref: ISBN 9780101855426, Cm. 8554

PDF, 983 KB, 111 pages

Order a copy

Report excluding annex and glossary

PDF, 722 KB, 63 pages

Annex A: referendum on the independence of Scotland – international law aspects

PDF, 533 KB, 45 pages

Glossary

PDF, 284 KB, 2 pages

Infographic

PDF, 136 KB, 1 page

Summary leaflet: devolution and the implications of Scottish independence

PDF, 295 KB, 2 pages

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Details

Analysis paper

The Scotland analysis programme will provide comprehensive and detailed analysis of Scotland’s place in the UK. It will set out the facts about a range of constitutional, economic and policy issues that are critical to considering Scotland’s future. To inform the debate, the work will also set out analysis about the possible implications of independence, as far as these can be known.

This paper, the first in the series, examines the UK’s constitutional setup and the legal implications of independence.

Legal opinion

The legal opinion paper (Annex A) explores what Scottish independence would mean in law and practice. It has been compiled by two leading authorities on the issue of state formation and how this is seen in international law - James Crawford SC, Professor of International Law at the University of Cambridge, and Alan Boyle, Professor of Public International Law at the University of Edinburgh.

Published 11 February 2013
Last updated 12 February 2013 + show all updates

1. 12 February 2013

   Uploaded Scotland analysis infographic: devolution and the implications of Scottish independence

2. 11 February 2013

   Updated to include analysis paper and glossary

3. 11 February 2013

   First published.