News

A woman who was found guilty of dangerous driving after falling asleep at the wheel and crashing into an oncoming vehicle has lost an appeal against conviction. Judges in the Criminal Appeal Court ruled that in the absence of special circumstances the act of falling asleep is a “voluntary act” a

A man who murdered his wife has had his appeal against conviction on the basis the trial judge was biased towards the prosecution thrown out. Alan Humphrey, 57, from Glasgow, claimed he had suffered a miscarriage of justice after he was found guilty of murdering his wife Angela in 2014. He claimed L

The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee has today supported the general principles of a Scottish government bill that aims to improve how the justice system responds to abusive behaviour. The Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill aims to prevent abuse, harassment or sexual harm in a number of

Dr Carolyn Côté-Lussier Social inequality is directly linked to public support for increasingly harsh criminal justice policy in the UK despite falling crime rates, a study by the London School of Economics (LSE) has found.

Alexander Litvinenko A public inquiry has found that the 2006 murder of Alexander Litvinenko was “probably” approved by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Frank Mulholland QC Three of the families of the Glasgow bin lorry victims have launched their bid to privately prosecute driver Harry Clarke.

Neil Richardson Police officers caught up in a spying row have been invited to a hearing by a Holyrood committee – for the fourth time.

Scottish Legal News has today broken through the 10,500 barrier with the total number of subscribers to the free daily news service reaching 10,514.

Jonathan Smithers The Law Society has welcomed what it called the “measured” proposals put forward by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in its report on skilled migration and is pleased that the report reflects some recommendations by the Law Society.

The owner of a farmhouse destroyed by a fire who claimed that the fire service failed to properly extinguish the blaze has had an action for damages dismissed. The pursuers argued that the fire brigade was liable in damages because the fire re-ignited after it had apparently been extinguished, but j

A bill providing that an apology does not amount to an admission of liability and is inadmissible as evidence in certain legal proceedings has been passed by the Scottish Parliament despite fears it will prejudice pursuers and evidence that such laws are “relatively ineffective”. The Apologies (

The Law Society of Scotland has reported that the majority of trainees admitted to the profession last year were women – of whom there were 307, compared to 178 men – as well as a continued increase in the number of traineeships available for aspiring solicitors.

Bill Drummond Bill Drummond, managing partner of Brodies LLP, has been unanimously re-elected by his partners for a seventh consecutive three-year term. Mr Drummond, who is one of the UK’s longest-serving managing partners, was first elected in 1998 and has been with the firm for 35 years.

Michael Matheson The Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has rebuffed calls for the abolition of the Scottish “not proven” verdict until there is a case for reform.

HBJ Gateley has added another two new partners after reporting strong growth and a seven-strong senior hiring round at the end of last year.