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The US federal courts have warned they will run out of money next Friday because of the partial shutdown of the US government. US lawmakers have been unable to agree a federal budget because Democratic Party representatives will not agree to President Donald Trump's demand for $5.7 billion to build

A man who tried to smuggle a snake on a plane by stuffing it in his trousers was foiled by keen-eyed customs officials. The 43-year-old was spotted with "something in his trousers that did not belong there", officers at Berlin Schönefeld Airport said.

A woman with medical problems and restricted mobility who sued public works contractors after she fell and was injured as she tried to access her front door while excavation works were ongoing outside the property has won her appeal for damages. A sheriff in the All Scotland Personal Injury Cou

Former SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, 48, has been found guilty of professional misconduct and has been fined £3,000 by the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal (SSDT). Ms Ahmed-Sheikh was a solicitor at the now-defunct law firm Hamilton Burns before she entered politics. The acti

Thorntons has recorded strong financial results, reporting a 13.1 per cent increase in turnover to £26.9 million, with profits increasing by 14.6 per cent to £5.8m Craig Nicol, managing partner at Thorntons, said: “Our latest financial results represent our commitment to long term

Glasgow based accountancy firm Armstrong Watson has joined forces with seven other law firm merger experts across the UK to form the Association of Law Firm Merger Advisers (ALFMA). The launch of ALFMA sees Armstrong Watson join up with Aaron & Partners, Ampersand Legal, Haddon Consult, Haz

Chris Harte has been appointed for a further three-year term as CEO with Morton Fraser. The firm has seen continued growth under his leadership over the past six years, with revenues increasing by 60 per cent over that period, topping the £20m threshold (£21.7m) in 2017/18.

Pinsent Masons has been announced as Scotland's Firm of the Year by Legal 500 UK. The firm, which has offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen and employs an estimated 500 lawyers and support staff in Scotland, was recognised for the strength of its individual specialists and practice teams a

The European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) has stripped McDonald's of its "Big Mac" trademark following an application from Irish fast food franchise Supermac's. In a landmark ruling, the EUIPO said McDonald's had not proven genuine use of the trademark in the five years prior to the ap

Diversity in the legal profession is declining because fewer state-educated pupils are going into law than in the past, according to Cherie Blair QC. Social and economic diversity have been greater problems in law than gender, the wife of former prime minister Tony Blair said.

Legislation criminalising "upskirting" in England and Wales has been passed. Upskirting is the practice of taking a photo underneath a person's skirt without their permission.

A top Israeli attorney suspected of offering to help secure appointments to the bench in exchange for sex has been arrested. The unnamed man is alleged to have nominated a woman for appointment to a magistrates' court – in exchange for sex.

A Scottish solicitor who failed to progress a case on behalf of a client who was suing his former employer has been fined £7,500. Quinton Muir, 51, was found guilty of “professional misconduct” by the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal (SSDT) over his failure

Drug driving limits and roadside testing will be introduced on 21 October this year, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has announced. There will be a zero tolerance approach to eight drugs most associated with illegal use, including cannabis, heroin and cocaine, with limits set at a level where an

A sheriff has raised concerns about the new Universal Credit system after finding out that a woman caught shoplifting had only £90 a month to survive on, The Courier reports. Sheriff Alistair Brown at Dundee Sheriff Court was due to sentence Maria Blair, 39, for stealing steaks and chicken fro