News

A Scottish national park authority has successfully challenged a sheriff’s decision to allow an appeal by an estate owner who had taken to steps to prevent or deter members of the public from accessing the land. The Sheriff Appeal Court ruled that the sheriff’s approach to the evidence on the ti

Jamie Kerr Refugees in the UK are at risk of homelessness and destitution because of a “two-tier” system, an all-party parliamentary group has warned.

Scotland’s prosecution service has been asked to “reflect further” on the views of some criminal lawyers that a policy on prosecuting domestic abuse cases is being applied high-handedly. Holyrood's Justice Committee has today published a report following its inquiry into the Crown Office and P

Gordon Jackson QC Scottish ministers have announced a review of the regulation of legal services with a view to making independent recommendations to reform and modernise the statutory framework for the regulation of legal services and complaints handling.

Sheriff Kenneth McGowan has been appointed as the new Administrative Sheriff for the All Scotland Personal Injuries Court, located at Edinburgh Sheriff Court. The PI sheriffs and staff have been carrying out a review of court procedures and practices, with a view to improving efficiency. As part of

A QC who served the Faculty of Advocates in two office-bearer posts has been installed as a Senator of the College of Justice. Alan Summers took the judicial title of Lord Summers at the ceremony in the First Division courtroom in Parliament House.

Mary Sharpe UK government amendments to a bill which would make certain forms of violent and illegal pornography acceptable online so long as they are placed behind age-verification checks have raised serious concerns.

Peter Boyd An Edinburgh lawyer has been invited as the sole Scottish representative to participate in a Commons committee discussing the potential value of the burgeoning equity release industry.

Craig Nicol A Scots lawyer has been shortlisted for an accolade recognising Scotland's top entrepreneur, awarded by Ernst & Young.

A Portuguese man whose daughter was “wrongfully removed” from Portugal to Scotland by her mother has failed in a legal bid to have the 10-year-old girl returned to the country of her birth. A judge in the Court of Session refused to grant an order under the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 a

Neil Amner (left) and Murray McCall

Michael Matheson Four new laws aimed at tackling abusive behaviour and sexual harm come into force today including a requirement for judges to direct juries when dealing with trials relating to certain sexual offences.

Eilidh Wiseman The Law Society of Scotland has called for the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) to postpone the introduction of a proposed new code of practice until legal aid fee levels for providing police station advice are agreed.

Emma Guthrie Emma Guthrie spends most of her days as a solicitor in Shepherd and Wedderburn’s property and infrastructure team. However, for 18 days in March Emma was also in New York as a delegate at the 61st United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), attending on behalf of the Wor

From today the Tax Chamber within the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland takes on the functions and members of the former First–tier Tax Tribunal for Scotland. The new Chamber President is Anne Scott.