What about the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016 (the 2016 Act)?

Charities that engage in regulated lobbying must ensure that it is recorded in the Lobbying Register to provide information on who they have lobbied, when and where it happened and what the purpose of the lobbying was.

What constitutes regulated lobbying is set out in law. Guidance on how to register your charity and how to use the Lobbying Register is available from the Scottish Parliament’s Lobbying Register Team.

In short, regulated lobbying includes any oral and face-to-face communications about Scottish Government or Scottish Parliamentary functions with:

• members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs)
• Scottish Government Ministers, junior ministers and Scottish Law Officers
• The Scottish Government’s Permanent Secretary; or
• Scottish Government special advisers

‘Oral’ communication includes video conferencing and using sign language.

There are a number of exceptions set out in the 2016 Act. You should read the lobbying guidance to decide if the requirements apply to your charity.