News

A multi-track qualification scheme could be introduced at the English bar as early as next September, The Brief reports.The scheme is reportedly being considered as a key measure in widening social access and reducing the cost of becoming a barrister.Proposals under consideration by the&nb

The week of the 70th birthday of the NHS saw a timely discussion between the medical and legal professions on holding doctors to account. The event was staged by the Faculty of Advocates and featured two members, Clare Connelly and Vinit Khurana, with Dr Rob Hendry, medical director of the Medical P

A French court has decreed that its famous national motto, “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”, can be used as a defence in court. The Constitutional Council said on Friday that a farmer who smuggled migrants into the country was not guilty of a crime as he acted o

The latest edition of the Scottish Civil Justice Council's newsletter has been published, detailing changes in committees' membership as well as ongoing work. Yvonne MacDermid has been appointed to the Costs and Funding Committee for a further period of three years from 06 July 2018.

A diabetic student has been awarded £2,000 in compensation after winning a discrimination case against a company that provided security staff at the music festival Tennent’s Vital in 2016. Kayla Hanna from south Belfast had her bottle of Lucozade confiscated by b

After calling for reforms to put consumer protection at the centre of its regulatory framework, the Law Society of Scotland has expressed its support for Scottish government’s plans to establish a single consumer body for Scotland. Business minister Jamie Hepburn MSP announced plans to set up

Rosie Walker looks at the proposed changes to Scotland's defamation regime. On 14 December 2017, the Scottish Law Commission published its “Report on Defamation”, recommending a number of reforms to the law on defamation in Scotland. The current law on defamation has been in effect since

What does climbing Mount Everest have in common with getting on the property ladder? Other than both involving an uphill struggle, many people trying to buy their first home would likely agree both are also challenges of endurance, writes Shawn Wood. The difficulty in taking that first step to home

The University of Aberdeen School of Law will once again open its doors to students from the USA as part of its Baltimore/Maryland Summer School this year. The summer school is a long-standing tradition between the institutions – the programme was initiated in 1987 by Baltimore and Aberde

David Morgan found himself reflecting on a famous American idea as the US celebrated its independence day this week. As the 4th of July marks the anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, I found myself reflecting on the well-known phrase in the introduction to the Declara

In the latest in our occasional legal heritage series, Graham Ogilvy reflects on the remarkable story of ‘Indian’ Peter Williamson. A document presently on display in the library of the Faculty of Advocates records one of the most shocking episodes of human trafficking in Scottish histor

Shepherd and Wedderburn has reported record revenues and profits on the day it celebrates its 250th anniversary. The firm’s revenues rose six per cent to £53.5 million in its financial year to 30 April 2018, and profits before partner distributions increased ten per cent to £22m ov

The Supreme Court's judgment in Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (Appellant) v Taylor Clark Leisure Plc (Respondent) (Scotland) will be handed down next Wednesday. The respondent, Taylor Clark Leisure Plc, was the representative member of the Taylor Clark VAT Group