News

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has transferred the Stonehaven Sheriff Court building for a nominal sum after the Stonehaven Town Partnership (STP) successfully demonstrated the financial viability and benefit to the community of its plans. SCTS has been working with the STP an

The issue of international parental child abduction is now on the Scottish government’s legislative agenda following the efforts of a Glasgow solicitor. As part of a consultation on family law reform launched last week, the government is seeking views on “how civil and criminal child abd

Two new members and two familiar faces have been elected by their peers to join the Law Society of Scotland’s Council, in the latest round of contested elections. Philip Lafferty and Campbell Read were returned to their seats representing solicitors in Campbeltown, Dumbarton, Dunoon, Oban, Rot

Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen has taken a critical step on the road to transformation with the assistance of advocate Scott Blair. The gardens which are part of the Common Good of the City of Aberdeen have been used for leisure and recreation since the 18th century.

The UK government's announcement that it will introduce a maximum stake for Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs) will limit the proposed powers that the Scottish Parliament has under the Scotland Act to cap the number of terminals in a betting shop, according to a licensing expert. Stephen McGowan,

Google is enabling users to uncover the identities of rape victims whose anonymity is guaranteed under law, The Times reports. Searches for criminals and alleged attackers in a number of prominent sexual assault cases reveal the names of women they have been convicted of attacking or accused of atta

Mackinnon Advocates Glasgow, in conjunction with The Faculty of Solicitors of the Highlands, hosts its fourth CPD event of 2018 on Thursday 24th May in Inverness. The seminar will be provided by two of our highly experienced Criminal Law Advocates:

A third year law student at Edinburgh University has won a three week paid work placement with the Solicitor’s Office at the Scottish Parliament and a £500 cash prize for her winning entry in a student competition. Run jointly by the Law Society of Scotland and the Scottish Parliame

A man who was jailed for 22 months for throwing a paving stone through a neighbour’s window has had his sentence reduced following an appeal after he successfully challenged the level of discount afforded by the sentencing sheriff. The Appeal Court of the High Court of Justiciary red

People caught with small quantities of illegal drugs should not face prosecution according to a Scottish government adviser. Dr Roy Robertson wants the impending substance misuse strategy to "support rather than penalise".

A total of 87 per cent of people would be prepared to report any suspicions of human trafficking to Police Scotland, according to a new survey. This is an increase from 80 per cent in 2017 and follows a significant Scottish government campaign to raise awareness of trafficking, launched last summer.

A new partnership aimed at unlocking the potential of people with criminal convictions has won the backing of business leaders, charities and the Scottish Government. Release Scotland aims to provide a one-stop shop for employers in Scotland seeking advice and help with recruiting people with convic

The Edinburgh Tax Network and ICAS will host a joint seminar on Thursday 31st May, with support from Terra Firma Chambers. At this event Charlotte Barbour, Director of Tax at ICAS will provide an update on recent tax cases and Derek Francis, of Terra Firma Chambers, will discuss the new Inheritance

To mark its 10-year anniversary, law centre Clan Childlaw is asking law students around Scotland to write an essay answering the following question: What is the biggest children's rights issue in Scotland and how can the law be used to resolve it?