News

Tens of thousands of fraud victims have been denied justice after a computer algorithm dismissed four-fifths of reported cases. The Sunday Telegraph reports that 80 per cent of fraud incidents reported to the police in 2017-18 were rejected.

Proposed reforms to Scotland’s culpable homicide laws aim to make it easier for businesses or organisations to be held to account if they cause deaths, writes James Varney. While the differences between Scots law and English law run deep – from the origins of some of our rules in Roman l

A taskforce will be set up to take forward recommendations from the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership.The announcement was made by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Human Rights Day today, as the group published its final report, with seven recommendations aimed at&nbs

Cullen Kilshaw is to move to new premises in Jedburgh next year. The law firm has purchased the Royal Bank of Scotland building which it hopes will be renovated and ready to open its doors by the end of February 2019.

Alan McIntosh discusses a recent case, in which he was involved, at Greenock Sheriff Court that raised some interesting questions about the effects of Time Orders under section 129 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. A hearing is scheduled for later this month. The Facts

The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee is undertaking a fact-finding visit to Oslo as part of inquiries into police and fire reform and the Vulnerable Witnesses Bill, giving MSPs an international perspective on subjects they are currently scrutinising. Like Scotland, Norway also recently

Dozens of pairs of designer trainers seized from a convicted gangster are set to be auctioned to raise money for fighting crime. A total of 55 pairs of trainers, together worth almost £20,000, were seized from Isaiah Hanson-Frost, 22, after his arrest.

Community councils can be sued for damages for personal injuries, the Court of Session has ruled. A judge held that community councils, which had been created by parliament as distinct bodies with rights and duties to act in the public interest, were “hybrid bodies” which could be sued i

Evidence led trials in the High Court rose by 10 per cent between the first and second quarters of this year due to increased reporting of sexual offending – a trend that is expected to continue.

The latest meeting of the referral bars of Scotland, England & Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland takes place at the Advocates Library in Edinburgh today. Meetings of the four bars – the Faculty of Advocates in Scotland, the Bar Council in England and Wales, The Bar of Ireland in the Iris

At least 40 motorists have had their drug-driving convictions quashed after evidence emerged of manipulation in the forensic testing process. The motorists had been banned from driving and in some cases fined but their convictions have now been overturned.

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP has announced a number of internal promotions. Paul Adams, JP Campbell and Alan Bauchop have each been promoted to senior associate.

Sound alerts for evacuation in high rise buildings and extending the mandatory installation of sprinklers in new flats are among a raft of new safety measures to be introduced next year in Scotland in response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy. The new building standards legislation will also reduce the

The Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow (RFPG) celebrated its 350th anniversary yesterday evening with a drinks reception attended by practitioners from around Scotland.  Dean of the Faculty, Nicola Irvine reflected on the venerable history of the body, which was incorporated prio

Photo credit: Anisa Doubell Staff in the Edinburgh office of Shoosmiths have gotten behind the lens in aid of a Scottish charity this Christmas.