Kapil Summan

A renewed attack on trial by jury in Scotland has been met with scorn from lawyers. A "cross-justice" group led by the Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian, has proposed a pilot of juryless rape trials in what represents the latest attempt to remove juries from sexual offences cases.

The role of Lord Advocate should be split so that his political and prosecutorial functions are entirely separate, the vast majority of respondents to a Scottish Legal News survey have said.

A new advocate has spoken of the difficult position he and his cohort have found themselves in over the past year and has called on government to widen the ambit of financial support schemes. Jon Kiddie joined the Faculty of Advocates last year, along with 25 others in what was one of the biggest in

A former sheriff has questioned whether the rule of law is actually at work in Scotland amidst the problems plaguing the Salmond inquiry. Scottish Legal News spoke to former sheriff, Kevin Drummond QC, who said that the Scottish Parliament seems unable to investigate "a relatively uncomplicated issu

If the past few months have taught us anything it is that the right medicine can change everything – so who better than a lawyer with a background in immunology to experiment with a new practice model developed to benefit the community? Blair Melville, 33, is the solicitor behind Teneu Legal,

Most lawyers oppose the removal of the 'not proven' verdict from Scotland's legal system, according to new research. A survey carried out by the Open University found that Scots lawyers supported a system consisting of 'proven' and 'not proven' verdicts and requiring a juror majority of 12

A new judgment paves the way for a potential change in the law that would allow for a good faith purchaser to have their real rights in property modified – without their consent. The Inner House of the Court of Session refused a reclaiming motion challenging a decision to allow a petition for

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has denied claims it gave false assurances that a sheriff court was safe to attend last December following a Covid-19 outbreak. Seven members of staff at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court self-isolated before Christmas after testing positive for

Lord Justice Nugee is pictured above sporting the latest in judicial garb – a bespoke Savile Row silk mask. The judge, whose wife is Labour's Emily Thornberry MP, was appointed a Lord Justice of Appeal last year. His daughter Rose commissioned the luxurious face covering from embroiderers

The Scottish Parliament should be able to pass a law to hold an independence referendum without the consent of the UK government, a judge in the Court of Session has heard. Declarator to this effect is being sought by Martin James Keatings. He also argues that no amendment would need to be made of t

Many Scots lawyers would like to see the salutation 'Dear Sirs' dropped from usage in favour of others that recognise that not all lawyers are men, a survey by Scottish Legal News has found.

Two Scottish judges are among a group that will sit in the Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) this term.

Solicitors in West Lothian will move to adjourn future trial diets as concern over the safety of courts in Scotland grows. The Faculty of West Lothian Solicitors has endorsed the response of the Glasgow Bar Association to the Lord President, Lord Carloway, who this week said failure to comply with c

Lawyers have strongly objected to a suggestion from the Lord President that breaches of court safety rules during the lockdown may constitute contempt of court and said any members threatened with this sanction will be offered free representation. In a message published yesterday, Lord Carloway emph

Scotland's legal profession "has to change" to reflect the progressive values it promotes in society, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said in an interview with her alma mater. As part of its celebrations to mark the centenary of women being allowed to practise law, the University of Gla