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Using the amendment sort code in Scottish amendments

Sorting amendments that start at the same page/line position or after/before same section

At the moment the sorting algorithm is not sophisticated enough to correctly sort amendments which start on the same page and line as each other (or are after/before the same section).

To get amendments of that kind to sort automatically you can to add a sort code to each amendment. 

What code to use

You can use your own scheme to assign an order (amendments with a code numerically or alphabetically lower will appear first so you could use “1”, “2”… or “A”, “B”…)

Alternatively, you can reuse the existing scheme for the (optional) 5th (word position) and suffix (category of MSP) components of amendment filenames.

For the latter, here’s an extract from the existing software manual with examples of what sort code to apply.

Filenames - Element 5 (optional)

59.       This element represents the word number in the line in question.  Where the amendment refers to a word in the line (e.g. “leave out first <the>”), count to that word (disregarding any numbering at the beginning of the line that is part of the numbering structure of the Bill).

  • 0 = “at beginning” or “leave out line”

  • 1 = 1st word in line

  • 2 = 2nd word in line, etc.

60.       For amendments that insert words or a block of text at the end of a line, the following numbers are used—

  • 50 = “at end insert <words>”;

  • 60 = “at end insert— [sub-sub-sub-paragraph]”;

  • 70 = “at end insert— [sub-sub-paragraph]”;

  • 80 = “at end insert— [sub-paragraph]”;

  • 90 = “at end insert— [paragraph]”;

  • 100 = “at end insert— [subsection]”.

Note: for the purposes of this element, “paragraph” means either a section paragraph or a schedule paragraph – and “sub-paragraph” etc. should be treated similarly.

61.       All the above numbers (50 to 100) are—

  • reduced by 1 for “inserted text” (text to be inserted into an existing Act)

    • reduced by 5 for “full-out” text.

Thus, for example—

  • 79 = an inserted sub-paragraph

    • 95 = a subsection full-out

Note that most definitions are unnumbered section paragraphs and, therefore, an amendment to insert such a new definition in such a list should be coded 85 (i.e. paragraph fullout level).

Filenames – category of MSP (optional)

63.       This relates to who is lodging the amendment, and when they are doing so in relation to other amendments to that place in the Bill.  The number begins with—

  • a plus sign and M for an amendment in the name of the member-in-charge of the Bill (which takes precedence)

    • a plus sign and N for any other amendment

The letter is followed by a number indicating whether the amendment is the first of that category to that place in the Bill.

Amendment

Filename

LDAPP Sort code

Before section 2, insert— [Government new section]

2.B+M01

M01

Before section 2, insert— [2nd Government new section]

2.B+M02

M02

In section 2, page 3, line 4, leave out <7th word> and insert <words>

2.I.3.4.7.S+M01

7+M01

In section 2, page 3, line 18, leave out subsections (2) to (4)

2.I.3.18.0.L+M01

0+M01

In section 2, page 3, line 18, leave out subsection (2) and insert— [new subsection]

2.I.3.18.0.S+M01

0+M01

In section 2, page 3, line 18, after <3rd word> insert <his normal place of residence or>

2.I.3.18.3.I+M01

3+M01

In section 2, page 3, line 18, leave out from <12th word> to <competence> in line 19

2.I.3.18.12.L+M01


12+M01

In section 2, page 3, leave out line 19 and insert— [new paragraph]

2.I.3.19.0.S+M01

19+M01

In section 2, page 3, line 20, at end insert— [new sub-paragraph]

2.I.3.20.80.I+M01

80+M01

In section 2, page 3, line 20, at end insert— [new paragraph]

2.I.3.20.90.I+M01

90+M01

In section 2, page 3, line 20, at end insert— [new subsection]

2.I.3.20.100.I+M01

100+M01

As an amendment to amendment X [i.e. the above amendment], line 2, leave out <word> and insert <words>

2.I.3.20.100.I+M01A

A

As an amendment to amendment X, line 3, leave out <words>

2.I.3.20.100.I+M01B

B

In section 2, page 3, line 20, at end insert— [second new subsection, non-gov member]

2.I.3.20.100.I+N02

100+N02

In section 2, page 3, line 40, leave out from beginning to end of line 2 on page 6

2.I.3.40.0.L+M01

0+M01

In section 2, page 3, line 40, leave out from second <5th word> to <word> in line 42 and insert <words>

2.I.3.40.5.S+M01

5+M01

Leave out section 2 and insert— [Government new section]

2.S+M01

M01

Leave out section 2

2.L

n/a

Divide section 2 into two sections, the first (Title of new section) to consist of subsections (1) to (3) and the second (Title of new section) to consist of subsections (4) to (6)

2.D+M01

M01

Move section 2 to after section 5

2.M+M01

M01

After section 2, insert— [new section]

2.A+M01

M01

At an appropriate place, insert— [new section]

U+M01

M01

In the long title, page 1, line 3, leave out from <5th word> to first <word> in line 4

T.I.1.3.5.L+M01

5+M01


How to add a sort code

The sort code can be added to an amendment (and changed) at any time via the “amendment information” panel at the right of the editor so it could be added by the drafter or a parliament user. Once the sort code has been saved, any list generated will use it to determine the order of amendments.

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