Laura Hay (pictured) provides an update on the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill. The bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament after a Stage 3 debate on 17 June. The commencement date has still to be announced. Extension of Community Right to Buy
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Marks & Clerk in Scotland has received separate accolades from two intellectual property (IP) publications. The Scottish operation of the UK IP firm has been re-awarded “Gold” status in the annual IAM Patent 1000 rankings while Managing Intellectual Property has placed it in the top tier for
If Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC (pictured) was looking for variety and a change of scenery in her job, she has certainly found it. Sheriff Drummond, based in Tayside, Central and Fife, will be adding to her shrieval duties with her new appointment as Justice of Appeal in the Court of Appeal in the Terr
Vic Emery The chairman of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) will not seek re-appointment at the end of his current term.
A former judge who was jailed for lying to police in the Chris Huhne speeding points scandal has failed in her appeal against conviction. Last May, Constance Briscoe, 57, one of the UK's first black female judges, was handed a 16-month sentence after she was found guilty at the Old Bailey of attempt
The Law Society of Scotland has launched a survey to find out how the European Union impacts the work of solicitors, ahead of the referendum on whether the UK should remain a member of the EU. As with last year's debate on Scottish independence, the Law Society intends to remain neutral on the issue
Winston Peters MP Internet trolling in New Zealand could result in jail following the introduction of a new law.
Law Society president Andrew Caplen The UK government has loosened restrictions imposed on victims of domestic abuse which were preventing them from accessing legal aid in family cases, even when it was accepted by the government that a victim had suffered violence.
A man has appeared in court charged under an ancient law for which the penalty is death. Graeme Bryden, 27, was accused of "hamesucken" after he allegedly attacked and robbed a 93-year-old woman in her home.
Families Need Fathers Scotland discuss the perils of a gendered definition of domestic abuse. The Scottish government recently sought views on proposals to change the law on various aspects of domestic abuse and sexual offences. The proposals, entitled Equally Safe: Scotland's strategy for preventin
Barry McKeown Maclay Murray & Spens LLP (MMS) has become the new host partner of the Edinburgh Ethical Finance Roundtable series, following a year in which the firm acted on more than £200 million of Shariah-compliant real estate activity in the UK.
The case for major reform of the law on compulsory purchase is “strong”, the Faculty of Advocates has submitted to the Scottish Law Commission. According to the commission, current legislation is largely out of date and not fit for purpose.
A number of asylum seekers at Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre are being locked up for too long according to a report by prison inspectors. In one case a detainee had been there for more than two-and-a-half years, which if given as a sentence in a Scottish court would require a sheriff and a jury
A Court of Appeal judge has warned that judges could become reluctant to chair government inquiries if they are second guessed by MPs on select committees. Beatson LJ, who is drafting guidelines on what judges should be allowed to say on the government's legislation and policy, said there are MPs wh