News

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) has launched a consultation on an updated Statement of Complaints Handling Principles. Since the principles were approved by Scottish Parliament in 2011, the language and landscape of complaints handling has changed. There has also been the addition of t

The Scottish government should take strong and positive action to address the barriers that disabled people continue to face in realising their rights, according to a new report from the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. The committee has been consider

The Charter of Rights for People Affected by Substance Use has been launched, aiming to improve the experience of anyone needing support. The charter, the first of its kind in the world, will help ensure people know their rights and the support they can expect to receive, and that those who use drug

The Law Society of Scotland says legislation to modernise the law around judicial factors provides for significant improvements when such arrangements are needed to safeguard money and other assets. MSPs voted earlier this week to give final stage three approval for the Judicial Factors (Scotland) B

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is seeking views from the public on proposals to designate Scotland’s largest and best-known prison as a Category A listed building. Barlinnie, in the northeast of Glasgow, is the most complete surviving example of a 19th century prison in Scotland and is ex

Keoghs Scotland has welcomed two associates and a solicitor to its Glasgow office, as it continues to expand its footprint in Scotland. Natalie McCartney has joined Joanne Farrell, partner who leads the Scottish arm of Keoghs’ specialist healthcare team. Ms McCartney is joining Keoghs as an as

The Law Society of Scotland has added to its paralegal accreditation programme with a new specialism for paralegals who work in banking and finance. The new certification is the 15th area of law recognised for paralegals and is the second accreditation in financial services as it joins the asset man

Scullion LAW has announced the promotion of Charmaine Trainor and Ailidh Ballantyne.

A programme funded from the seized assets of criminals has supported 15,368 young people in 2023-24. CashBack for Communities delivered £5.5 million to 29 partners in that period for projects that divert young people away from anti-social behaviour and crime.

Lindsays has welcomed Clair Cranston as a senior associate in its family law team. She has started the new role, which will see her work throughout Tayside and across Perthshire, today.

Dundee Law School has become the first in Scotland to establish a module in trauma-informed practice as part of its diploma course. The module will prepare students to support clients seeking legal advice while they are affected by traumatic life events.

A judge has blocked a bid by satirical news website The Onion to buy far-right media platform Infowars. Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was forced to give up the platform he founded in 1999 after declaring bankruptcy shortly after a court ordered him to pay $1.5 billion to the families of victim

A bill to reform and modernise the law relating to judicial factors has been passed. The Judicial Factors (Scotland) Bill aims to bring clarity, accessibility and efficiency to an area of law which largely has not been changed since the 19th century.

A former solicitor has been sentenced for defrauding the legal aid body south of the border and making substantial gain at the public's expense. Phil Shiner, 67, has been sentenced to two years' imprisonment suspended for two years for three counts of fraud at Southwark Crown Court. He pleaded guilt

Five members of a drugs-trafficking gang who plotted to flood Scotland with almost a tonne of cocaine imported from South America have had Serious Crime Prevention Orders (SCPOs) imposed by the court. Gerard Carbin, 45; James Bilsland, 68; Lloyd Cross, 32; Ryan McPhee, 34 and Paul Bowes, 53, were re