News

The UK government has announced it is considering a judge-led inquiry into British involvement in torture and rendition following the publication of two reports into the subject by the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) last week. The first report found that Britain’s intelligence servi

The European Commission has launched an infringement procedure against Poland over claims the country is undermining judicial independence by lowering the age of retirement within the judiciary. Today, 27 out of 72 Supreme Court judges face the risk of being forced to retire – more than one in

Each time I get to my feet in court, no matter the type of case, the last thing on my mind is the possibility I might be in danger, other than perhaps from a few withering comments from the bench of course! In Scotland, lawyers are fortunate that, when we take up the challenge of defending human rig

Professor Hector MacQueen has delivered the second of the 2018 Selden Society lectures in Queensland, Australia, entitled Private law’s revolutionaries: authors, codifiers and merchants?

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) has launched new French and Irish law versions of the ISDA Master Agreement, adding to the existing English, New York and Japanese law choices ahead of Brexit. The new Master Agreements are intended to provide options for those institutions

The effectiveness of legislation that aims to ensure dogs are kept under control is to be examined by a Holyrood committee. As part of its post-legislative scrutiny of the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2010, the Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny Committee will examine the role of local aut

A solicitor is to give a talk on her role in supporting dying people, as a doula, at this year's Just Festival in Edinburgh. Death doulas help dying people and their families practically, emotionally and spiritually, to help them have the best possible quality of life right up to the end, and then t

Civil legal aid will remain available for court-ordered family therapy. The costs of family therapy ordered by the courts have been met under grants of civil legal aid since June 2016 under Regulation 21 of the Civil Legal Aid (Scotland) Regulations 2002.

Landowners whose properties have been encroached by Japanese knotweed will be able to claim damages following a Court of Appeal ruling. Three judges ruled in favour of two owners whose land had been affected by the "pernicious" plant.

A man was injured after a hidden camera in his shoe used to take photos up women's skirts exploded. The 32-year-old was using the device at home when it blew up, prompting him to hand himself in at the local police station.

Raeburn Christie Clark & Wallace (RCCW) has announced the purchase of Ellon-based law practice Winchesters Solicitors. Specialising in residential conveyancing and private client matters, Winchesters Solicitors also carries out a variety of other legal work including commercial, corporate and ci

Football fans who were targeted by the police under recently abolished anti-bigotry laws are to be brought back into court under "converted" charges. The Offensive Behaviour at Football Act was scrapped earlier this year after opposition parties united to get rid of what they said was an unfair law.

Ampersand Advocates has welcomed Alexander Sutherland to the stable. Before calling to the bar on Friday, Mr Sutherland trained with Addleshaw Goddard LLP, formerly HBJ Gateley. During his seat in the firm’s dispute resolution department, he gained experience of a wide range of litigation in b

A new award to honour men and women overseas who champion human rights in the most challenging of circumstances is being launched by the Faculty of Advocates. The winner of the Scottish Bar International Human Rights Award will be invited to Edinburgh for a week to share experience and expertise wit