News

Carole Ford makes the case for fixed fees and greater pricing transparency in the solicitors' profession. Would you be more likely to seek advice from a solicitor if you knew what it was going to cost? Would more information about pricing improve access to justice? Is it possible to provide a fixed

Changes in serious organised crime, its impact in communities and the potential for local services to prevent exploitation have been highlighted in new research. An 18-month study, which looked at serious organised crime (SOC) with deep roots in specific areas, as well as more ‘mobile’ f

The Scottish government is funding two projects aiming to explore the barriers to children’s views being heard in family law cases, led by researchers from Stirling and Glasgow universities. Guided by an expert group of young people, researchers will identify the challenges and explore the imp

The next head of the WS Society has been announced as Mandy Laurie WS, partner at Burness Paull LLP. Ms Laurie will take over as Deputy Keeper of the Signet on 1 January 2019 from Caroline Docherty OBE WS who stands down at the end of the year after 10 years in office.

Corporate banking specialist Richard Scott has been appointed as Pinsent Masons’ head of office in Aberdeen. He succeeds fellow partner and employment law expert Katie Williams who is relocating to Australia to bolster Pinsent Masons' presence in the Asia Pacific region.

Ten people per week are self-harming in prison, according to figures obtained by the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP revealed the extent of self-harm in Scottish prisons as new figures showed that the number of cases recorded has doubled over the past fiv

MI5 is to declassify information on UK citizens suspected of having terrorist sympathies, Home Secretary Sajid Javid has announced. The security services hold information on about 20,000 individuals, known as "subjects of concern".

Three Amazon delivery companies are facing legal action over allegations of bogus self-employment. GMB, the union for gig economy workers, is announcing its action against the retail giant at its annual congress in Brighton today.

Via Burges Salmon's Ross A Simpson: "And so another excellent @thewssociety @AgLawUK ag Law conf concludes. A definite highlight being Prof F Smith of Leeds Uni and special adviser to the House of Lords talking agriculture after Brexit and WTO rules - one of the best Brexit talks I have heard to da

Tougher UK regulations on bribery, tax evasion and corruption have put white-collar crime lawyers in high demand at top London law firms. According to FT, white-collar specialists in the public sector are being offered ten times their existing salary, while top lawyers in the field can earn as much

Balfour+Manson has committed to put every one of its 134 staff through a training programme to become Dementia Friends.

A woman who fell over a large stone while walking in the grounds of a Scottish estate has had her action for damages dismissed. The All-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court ruled that the pursuer, Louise McKevitt, failed to prove that the defenders, the National Trust for Scotland, breached their

Victims of surgical mesh across Scotland and their legal teams have hailed a very important legal milestone made public today by the Court of Session. Hundreds of women from all parts of the country are currently taking legal action against the manufactures of surgical mesh after suffering horrific

A rise in the cost of practising as a Scottish solicitor has been agreed following an eight-year freeze. Members voted in the majority to adopt the proposed rise of £15 in the 2018/19 practising certificate (PC) subscription to £565, put forward by the Law Society’s Council.

The UK government should take rapid steps to end unfair discrimination when it comes to British nationality law, according to a Westminster committee. In their report examining the proposed amendments to the British Nationality Act 1981, the Joint Committee on Human Rights welcomed the governme