Features

Robert Shiels commends a new biography of the comic genius who fell victim to the USA's post-war red scare. This attractively produced book, with many photographs, is a social, political and cultural history of a crucial period in the life of an influential 20th century figure, an original and indep

Vaunted legislation incorporating UNCRC into Scots law falls short of expectations, writes Professor Elaine E Sutherland. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 is something of a disappointment in the light of the ambitious plans that preceded it

Claire Campbell explains why legislation is needed to address the scourge of mould in rented properties. In December 2022, I wrote about the sad death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale in December 2020 as a result of his exposure to damp and mould in his family’s rented property, and str

Alison Webb and Megan Lafferty provide an update on group litigation in Scotland. We are now seeing a growing and quickly developing trend towards group litigation across the UK and globally. The Post Office scandal is one such example, receiving renewed attention over the past month in the wake of

Former judge Lord Uist calls on politicians to respect the separation of powers in dealing with the victims of the Horizon scandal.

Former sheriff Douglas Cusine commends a new practical guide to running a Sheriff Court proof. The final sentence of this very useful book is this: “Running a proof can be enjoyable, but you will find it more so if you have prepared it well, you are properly funded, and you are as well organis

Never mind parliamentary wrangling about whether the government's bill is tough enough. In this piece Ronnie Clancy KC argues that there are powerful reasons to doubt the truth and the good faith of the UK government's claim that Rwanda is now a safe country for asylum seekers. At all three stages o

It could be tempting after two decades of establishing a successful reputation in a particular sector of the law to continue to plough the same furrow and enjoy the degree of regularity that brings. Not so for Neil Hay who pivoted, as he puts it, from 20 years working in legal aid defence toward a n

If he might crave the reader’s indulgence, this idle scrivener would very much like to share his fun idea for an exciting new parlour game or, equally, a pub quiz for the judicially aware at any learned hangout where good claret can be had. A subtle combination of Where’s Wally and Clued

The understandable furore over the malicious dishonesty of those involved in the prosecution, better word persecution, of innocent sub-postmasters by the once trusted Post Office seems to me merely one example of a wider malaise in our present society. Like many bad-tempered old court lawyers, I hav

The role of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in the Horizon scandal must be investigated, writes a concerned solicitor. The recent ITV drama on the Horizon scandal has shocked the nation. This has been an issue that has troubled me since listening to Nick Wallis’ excellen

David J Black recalls a bygone era in Demarco’s Edinburgh.

Stuart Munro, who acted for Susan Sinclair, the first subpostmaster in Scotland whose conviction was overturned on appeal, writes on the scandal that has caught the public's attention. The broadcast of a major new drama on ITV, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, has brought the Post Office Horizon scandal

Retired solicitor advocate David Brookens recalls seeing someone take the law into their own hands in his early days in court. Yesterday's edition of The Times carried a story that really struck a chord with me: a story about a judge in Florida being attacked by a dissatisfied accused. My very first

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced proposals to ensure that consumer credit scores will now better reflect individuals’ financial situations, writes Venetia Jackson. The proposals set out a range of measures aiming to improve the information collected by credit reference