As stage one of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill concludes at Holyrood, legal experts – Dr Mary Neal (Strathclyde), Dr Murray Earle (Edinburgh) and Dr Michael Foran (Glasgow) – raise concerns about the bill’s legislative competence, arguing that the bil
Appointments
See all articlesPinsent Masons has announced its latest round of partner promotions, with 24 set to join its partnership on 1 May. In addition to four Scotland-based lawyers promoted to partner, a further seven have stepped up to legal director.
Scullion LAW has announced the promotion of Aimee Holmes from administrator to legal clerk in the road traffic and criminal law team. Kris Buchanan, head of the road traffic and criminal law team, said: "Aimee has shown remarkable dedication and growth since joining our team. Her promotion to
Four new partners are among 10 senior promotions that have taken effect at Lindsays. Six other lawyers have also taken the step up to director among a total of 15 promotions announced across the partnership’s offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Perth.
TC Young has announced the promotion of Neil Matheson to partner. Mr Matheson joined the firm as a trainee in 2015 and now has vast experience in civil litigation matters at both Sheriff Court and Court of Session level.
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) has announced the appointment of Amanda Masson as head of family law. Ms Masson, who joins from Harper Macleod, has 25 years of experience and is an experienced litigator in both the Sheriff Court and Court of Session.
Blackadders LLP has promoted James Hyams to partner. Mr Hyams joined Blackadders in January 2023 as a director, working in the Blackadders’ Edinburgh office with partner Karen Phillips.
Legal Aid
See all articlesFamily members involved in deaths in custody fatal accident inquiries (FAI) are to have immediate, free access to legal aid support and advice. Justice Secretary Angela Constance confirmed that she is using existing ministerial powers to remove means-testing for legal aid in such cases, so that from
Defence solicitors are to boycott the Scottish government’s new Summary Case Management scheme in protest over legal aid fees. In the face of the Scottish government’s continued refusal to engage in meaningful talks with the profession, the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association (SSBA) "has
Holyrood’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee has today launched a new call for views into civil legal assistance, covering civil legal aid and advice and assistance for civil issues, and grant funding for advice organisations. The call for views is part of a new inquiry whic
Lawyers have threatened to boycott the Scottish government's new swifter justice scheme unless legal aid fees are increased. Members of the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association (SSBA) will not take part in summary cases heard as part of the new Summary Case Management (SCM) initiative.
Reforms to legal aid have been set out to make the system simpler and easier for both solicitors and those who need legal assistance – along with longer-term proposals for funding and improving the delivery of services. Actions set out in a discussion paper aim to simplify the funding system a
Universities
See all articlesOn 28 March University of Strathclyde Mediation Clinic held its 5th Annual Conference, “Growing mediation, your practice and beyond.” The online event was a great success, attracting over 70 delegates from across the UK and overseas. It featured an array of leaders in the field of mediat
Professor Abbe Brown is among the new fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) recognised as outstanding individuals whose contributions are shaping society in Scotland and beyond. The professor of intellectual property law at the University of Aberdeen is among the 2025 cohort celebrating le
Protestors charged with non-violent offences should be able to explain their motives in court as part of their legal defence, new research argues. A new study from the University of Birmingham, Aston University and Keele University has argued that trials should "respect the integrity of publicly acc
Aberdeen University's Main Faculty Moot Final will be held on Wednesday. The event promises an evening of intellectual engagement and networking opportunities, featuring judges Sheila Webster, Andrew Webster KC and Frank Fowlie.
Edinburgh Law School and Brodies LLP are hosting the Charles Smith Memorial Lecture later this month, which this year takes the form of a discussion panel to mark the 30th anniversary of the Brodies Environmental Law lecture series. The UK has set ambitious legal targets to reach net zero by mid-cen
And Finally
See all articlesJudges in England and Wales have been instructed not to tolerate defendants bringing their pets into court on the basis they are "emotional support animals". The Judicial College has told courts across the jurisdiction that equality law only requires them to admit bona fide assistance animals such a
A former drug lord has launched a bid to be elected as mayor of his hometown on an anti-drugs platform. Rolan "Kerwin" Espinosa is seeking to be elected as mayor of Albuera, a town of around 50,000 people in the Leyte province of the Phiippines.
An international flight was forced to turn back around two hours into its journey after the pilot realised he had forgotten his passport. The United Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai – with 257 passengers and 13 crew members onboard – was redirected to San Francisco after the
A serious contender in Poland's presidential election previously praised himself on TV while wearing a disguise, it has emerged. Karol Nawrocki, the candidate from Poland's right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, is currently polling in second place ahead of this year's election.
A thief caught stealing hundreds of Cadbury Creme Eggs has been banned from Cambridgeshire. Deon De Groot, 26, must stay out of the county for three months after being found guilty of taking over £200 worth of the chocolate snack from a supermarket.