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A Japanese city assembly has approved wrestler Billyken Kid’s request to wear his trademark mask during council sessions. Billyken, 52, was elected to the Kawanishi Municipal Assembly in Hyogo Prefecture in October, receiving more votes than any other candidate while campaigning masked. Assemb

Health ministers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have called on the UK government to provide certainty to victims harmed by an epilepsy medicine.

A free independent advocacy service has been launched to support families who have lost loved ones in prison custody. Advocacy workers will offer practical and emotional support that is trauma-informed and tailored to the needs of each family. This will include helping bereaved families to understan

Partners at US law firm Weil Gotshal & Manges have voted to close the 95-year-old firm, with 97 per cent backing an “orderly wind-down”, according to Bloomberg. The firm reported $2 billion in turnover last year and profits of more than $5 million per equity partner. A committee comp

James Wolffe KC has defended his successor, Dorothy Bain KC, over her briefing to First Minister John Swinney on the case against former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell. Mr Wolffe told MPs on the Scottish Affairs Committee that it “wasn’t routine” for lord advocates to brief mini

Families who may be impacted by family protection trusts arranged by the failed law firm WW & J McClure Limited throughout the UK are being invited to register their interest in a proposed group legal action. McClure Solicitors went into administration in 2021 following which the goodwill, work

UN human rights experts have called on Iran to stop what they describe as escalating persecution and intimidation of independent lawyers, warning that pressure on the profession is undermining defendants’ access to a fair trial.

People across Scotland are struggling to afford food and housing and to access healthcare, according to the Scottish Human Rights Commission. Its annual report for 2025-26, laid before Holyrood on 30 October, covers the second year of the commission’s 2024-28 strategic plan. It says the SHRC r

A man has been jailed for deceiving his mother, aunt and uncle into giving him money for a fake investigation – supposedly overseen by US Chief Justice John Roberts. Jason Taylor, 38, of Pelham in the US state of New Hampshire was sentenced to two-and-a-half to five years in prison after plead

Solicitor estate agent Simpson & Marwick has rejoined the Aberdeen Solicitors' Property Centre (ASPC) and moved its Aberdeen office into the city's west end. The firm, which returned to the Aberdeen market in 2025, will begin listing homes with ASPC later this month. It has moved from Hill of Ru

The Scottish government will provide £375,000 for three programmes supporting human rights and disability inclusion in the global response to climate change. In a world-first, Scotland will provide £100,000 in new funding to Christian Blind Mission to help disabled people's organisations

Visitors to the National Library of Scotland are offered the chance to spot the fakes amongst the real deal in a new free display.

A federal judge has allowed Donald Trump’s defamation lawsuit against the BBC to proceed, while dismissing a separate claim under Florida consumer protection law. Mr Trump is seeking at least $5 billion for defamation and at least $5bn under the state law, alleging the BBC edited footage of hi

Dentons has strengthened its restructuring and insolvency practice in the UK with the appointment of highly regarded restructuring partner Kevin Heverin from Baker McKenzie. Mr Heverin will work across Dentons' London and Scottish offices, spending regular time with colleagues and clients in Scotlan

Emma Dewar has joined the planning and environment team at Shoosmiths in Scotland as a legal director. Ms Dewar has considerable knowledge of both contentious and non-contentious planning, advising developers and public bodies on legal agreements, consenting strategy, appeals, compulsory purchase, e