An outgoing Supreme Court justice has issued two "caveats" to "anyone" thinking of politicising judicial appointments to the UK's highest court – namely that the court deals with very few political cases and that observers often "get things wrong". At his valedictory ceremony yesterday, Lord C
Kapil Summan
An outgoing Supreme Court justice has issued two "caveats" to "anyone" thinking of politicising judicial appointments to the UK's highest court – namely that the court deals with very few political cases and that observers often "get things wrong". At his valedictory ceremony yesterday, Lord C
Three years after a defamation action was brought against him, Scottish Greens MSP Andy Wightman has been vindicated by a judge in the Court of Session. Lord Clark in the Outer House found, among other things, that the allegedly defamatory statements of Mr Wightman lacked the meaning the "ordinary r
The woman who was told "over and over" not to go to the bar, yet who ultimately became Scotland's first female judge, has spoken about her path to the bench. In the latest episode of the University of Glasgow Law Podcast, Lady Cosgrove speaks to senior lecturer Maria Fletcher.
The Lord President, the Lord Lyon and a constitutional law expert are among the newest fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. The 2020 fellows "comprise leading thinkers and experts from Scotland and around the world".
Sheriffs, summary sheriffs and lawyers at Glasgow Sheriff Court are to stop routinely wearing wigs and gowns in civil proceedings. Practitioners should hang up their court dress from March 2, a practice note from the Sheriffdom of Glasgow and Strathkelvin states.
A justice of the Supreme Court has hinted that the judiciary will not willingly cede any independence in a remark made during the swearing-in of Lord Hodge as deputy president of the court. Delivering some introductory words at the ceremony, Lord Wilson said it would be for Lord Hodge and Lord Reed,
The Scottish government has said legal aid is functioning well and that "any suggestion to the contrary is untrue" amid a warning that the tide of lawyers leaving the profession makes its collapse imminent. Robert More, of More and Co, said responsibility for the collapse of the system will fal
The UK's refusal to allow the inhabitants of the Chagos Islands to return to their homeland is a crime against humanity, an eminent international lawyer speaking in Edinburgh has said. Philippe Sands QC criticised Britain's failure to abide by a judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) w
The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) could be liable for as much as £10 million following a landmark decision at Edinburgh Sheriff Court this week in a case that may prove to be one of 'PPI for lawyers' and could lead to an avalanche of late payment claims from Scottish solicitors.
Yesterday's general election proved a good one for lawyers contesting Westminster seats.
A survey conducted by Scottish Legal News has found that a majority of lawyers favour the use of court dress after a practice note from the Lord President this week precipitated a debate on the wearing of wigs and robes/gowns.
Judges are to dispense with wigs and robes in a decision that has been criticised as unwise given Scotland's "past-oriented, uncodified, system of law". Judges sitting in the Outer House of the Court of Session will stop wearing wigs and robes from next month, except when presiding over a heari
Removing the not proven verdict from Scots law as it stands will increase the likelihood of miscarriages of justice, an academic has warned. Speaking to Scottish Legal News, David Lorimer, a PhD candidate at Aberdeen University who applies a quantitatively analytical approach to criminal law, said t
Lawyers have sounded a note of caution over making fundamental changes to criminal trials following the publication of a report into jury behaviour and the use of the ‘not proven’ verdict. John Scott QC told Scottish Legal News that the research commissioned by the Scottish government &l