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The First Minister will have the power to approve police requests to spy on MSPs under new legislation the Prime Minister, David Cameron, has confirmed. The Investigatory Powers Bill had prompted concerns members of devolved legislatures as well as MEPs would not enjoy the same safeguarded afforded

Aamer Anwar The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC) has decided “it is not in the interests of justice” to continue with a review of the conviction of the late Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed Al Megrahi over the 1988 Lockerbie Bombing and has refused the application made on his behalf.

Sheriff Simon Collins QC A sheriff has criticised police officers over the death of an injured man two years ago who was put in police custody instead of being taken to hospital.

Scott Milne Thorntons has been named as one of the country’s top performing legal companies in this year's Chambers UK Legal Directory.

Outreach work in schools, mentoring and reviewing the current skill set for sheriffs and judges could help create a more diverse judiciary in Scotland according to the Law Society of Scotland. The Law Society has published a series of recommendations in a paper responding to the Judicial Appointment

Angus civil engineering firm has been fined £32,000 over an accident that left a 17-year-old employee permanently disfigured and facing arthritis in his legs,The Courier reports. Connor Watson was struck by a section of concrete retaining wall during work done by DJ Laing (Contracts) Ltd as part of

The demand for free legal advice has soared in the wake of legal aid cuts and court fees according to a report by a charity that organises pro bono clinics. LawWorks' report found a 55 per cent increase in applications in the last financial year. There were over 43,000 inquiries at law firms in the

The Supreme Court of Mexico has ruled that the growing, possession and smoking of marijuana for recreational purposes is legal – but only for the four plaintiffs in the case it considered. Five justices ruled 4-1 in favour of the argument that smoking marijuana is a right under “free development

A man accused of historic child sex offences who challenged a sheriff’s “unique” decision to grant an application by prosecutors for an extension of time to bring him to trial more than seven years after his first appearance in court has had his appeal refused. The appellant, who first appeare

A candidate for chief constable of Police Scotland has come under pressure after a watchdog found a unit under his control “seriously” breached a code on the use of spy legislation The Herald reports. The Interception of Communications Commissioner’s Office (IOCCO) is to publish its findings o

First sitting of the Sheriff Appeal Court  

Suzanne Moir DWF has been appointed by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council to advise on a £120 million joint energy from waste development in East Tullo.

Jon Close TLT has advised Manchester-headquartered burrito bar Barburrito on the share acquisition ofPinto Restaurants (Holdings) Limited, which has five Mexican restaurants in Edinburgh and Glasgow. This brings Barburrito’s portfolio from 12 to 17 UK restaurants.

James Wolffe QC The Dean of the Faculty of Advocates has pledged his support and the support of the profession to make the new Sheriff Appeal Court a success.

Women in Law Scotland (WiLS) is a new network for the legal profession in Scotland. It is aimed at lawyers and paralegals in private practice and in-house, irrespective of the size of firm and specialism.