News

A sheriff’s decision not to impose a sentence on a woman convicted of a statutory breach of the peace and carrying a meat cleaver in public because there was no prosecutor in court when the case called has been successfully appealed by the Crown. The High Court of Justiciary Appeal Court passed a

James Wolffe QC Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC has made a comprehensive submission to the Supreme Court detailing the Scottish government's argument that the triggering of Article 50 requires an act of Parliament ahead of next month's full bench hearing of the Brexit case.

John Joyce The partners of Addleshaw Goddard and HBJ have voted “by an overwhelming majority” to merge their businesses, creating the UK’s 15th largest legal firm, it was announced today.

From today Simple Procedure replaces the current small claims procedure and part of the summary cause procedure. Simple Procedure is a court process designed to provide a speedy, inexpensive and informal way to resolve disputes where the monetary value does not exceed £5,000. The new Simple Procedu

Anderson Strathern has appointed two new partners - Douglas McLachlan and Martin Campbell. There are also 16 other promotions across the firm with nine new senior solicitors and associates and seven new senior associates.

Strict rules rightly govern contracts awarded by public bodies, and, in some cases, by utilities. Contractors must make clear not just their costs, but also exactly what they will do: so what happens when the buyer’s requirements change during a project? Recent regulations which sought to offer cl

Over 50 guests gathered at The Royal George Hotel Perth on Saturday night to mark the retirement of respected fiscal Stuart Richardson. Sheriffs from Perth and Dundee, colleagues from Tayside, fellow fiscals, staff from his office and the Sheriff Court gathered to say their fond farewells.

Former prisoners will no longer be called “offenders” under new Scottish government plans. Under the National Strategy for Criminal Justice, a prisoner will be referred to as a “person with convictions” or a “person with an offending history”.

Roseanna Cunningham Beavers in Tayside and Argyle are to be given legal protection to extend their range naturally except where they cause serious agricultural damage, The Courier reports.

The Crown Office is expecting a flood of new sexual offence cases associated with the ongoing Scottish Child Abuse inquiry as more victims come forward. Catriona Dalrymple, procurator fiscal for police and engagement said that the courts can expect a spate of new cases: “We already deal with cases

Alison Graham

Iain Mitchell QC The Faculty of Advocates had double representation at the official opening of the French legal year in Paris, with the Dean, Gordon Jackson QC, and Iain Mitchell QC, both in attendance.

A motorist found guilty of dangerous driving after crossing over onto the opposite carriageway while “admiring the scenery” and crashing into an oncoming vehicle has lost an appeal in which she claimed she ought to be have been convicted of the lesser charge of careless driving. The Sheriff Appe

Theresa Fyffe A top nurse has claimed there is “little evidence” that prisoners’ health has improved since the NHS assumed responsibility for inmates in 2011, The Herald reports.

Michael Matheson The Justice Secretary has warned that Scotland may have to rely on an outdated extradition agreement from the 1950s following Brexit.