News

Criminal penalties for the possession, supply and production of ketamine are set to be increased in the UK following a government decision. Ketamine is currently controlled as a Class B substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, putting it on par with cannabis and amphetamines.

Thompsons Scotland LLP has relocated its Glasgow office to 70 Wellington Street. The recently modernised and upgraded building is owned by Clydebuilt Limited Partnership, a joint venture between Ediston and Strathclyde Pension Fund.

Weightmans has made a raft of hires following a period of record growth, including one in Scotland. Mark Hastings joins the firm from BTO Solicitors LLP. He is a tutor at University of Glasgow and also acts for the UK government as a standing junior counsel to the Office of the Advocate General in S

Dr Peter Bekker, a leading global practitioner in international arbitration, has joined Dentons' commercial litigation practice as a partner, resident in the New York office. Dr Bekker has handled major arbitration matters across industries, particularly in the banking and energy sectors. He advises

The average selling price of property across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders was £286,017 in October-December 2024.  This annual increase of 5.8 per cent indicates healthy demand in the market during the typically quieter months, continuing the patterns of activity seen thro

Ireland has filed its long-awaited intervention in South Africa's high-profile case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The case, initiated in December 2023, centres on allegations that Israel's conduct in Gaza is in breach of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishm

First Minister John Swinney has welcomed the appointment of Scotland’s new lord president by His Majesty the King. Lord Pentland will succeed Lord Carloway when he retires as the head of Scotland’s judiciary on 3 February.

A man has been jailed for 12 years following a campaign of violent, sexual and domestic abuse. Scott Wilson was found guilty of seven charges, including rape, on 6 November 2024 following a trial at the High Court in Livingston.

Terra Firma Chambers’ Robert Sutherland is heading back to the Arctic Circle as part of a team raising money for charity. 

Harper Macleod's profit before members’ remuneration has risen from £11.95 million to £13.76m, new accounts filed at Companies House show. The firm had an average of 75 members over the year, with the average remuneration standing at £176,917, up from £162,386. The shar

The Scottish Barony Register, based in Haddington and run by retired solicitor Alastair Shepherd, has issued its 2024 annual report.  The register came into being some 20 years ago, when feudal law was largely abolished in Scotland on 28 November 2004, “the Appointed Day”. Mr Shephe

BTO has welcomed John Dunlop as a new partner in the firm’s real estate team, based in its Edinburgh office. This appointment follows last month’s announcement of Paul Greenhill’s promotion to partner in Glasgow, as well as the recent recruitment of three new real estate solicitors

Nearly 100 brand-new games consoles have been handed to gun owners in exchange for their weapons as part of a US public safety initiative. Charity NOLA GROWN, working in partnership with New Orleans City Council, offered free PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles in exchange for handguns and othe

Canada's outgoing prime minister Justin Trudeau is facing a legal challenge over his decision to prorogue the country's parliament for three months while his party picks a new leader. Two Canadian men, David MacKinnon and Aris Lavranos, yesterday launched legal proceedings in the Federal Court with

Creating sexually explicit 'deepfake' images is to become a criminal offence in England and Wales. The UK government says it is concerned by the rate at which "hyper-realistic" fake sexual images of real women and girls are proliferating thanks to widespread access to new technology.