News

Three people were wrongly accused of downloading child abuse images after a BT engineer’s wiring error caused police to trace illegal activity to the wrong address, a tribunal has heard. The mix-up, which took place in 2016, led to two men and a woman having their homes searched and electronic

The Faculty of Advocates’ Free Legal Services Unit (FLSU) will again host events during Pro Bono Week dedicated to advancing access to justice and strengthening pro bono legal services across Scotland. Pro Bono Week takes place across the UK from 3 to 7 November this year, with an overall them

The grandchildren of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in the UK, are calling on ministers to grant her a posthumous pardon, arguing that she was a victim of domestic abuse. Ellis was executed in 1955 for the murder of her former partner, racing driver David Blakely, whom she had met two years

The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) is consulting on a draft regulatory statement to guide its work as it implements the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025. The statement responds to the regulatory objectives, set out in chapter 1 of the Act and intended to guide the approa

An appeal concerning whether a defender in a counterclaim could competently seek an “additional sum” under Chapter 27A (Pursuer’s Offers) of the Ordinary Cause Rules – the provision allowing a successful pursuer to recover an additional sum where an unaccepted offer to settle

Scottish business leaders have warned that access to investment capital is drying up, according to MFMac’s biannual survey of Scottish business leaders. The study found that almost half (48 per cent) rate the availability of investment capital in Scotland as scarce or very scarce. Just eight p

Rachel Reeves is preparing to unveil a £2 billion tax rise on lawyers, family doctors and accountants as part of plans to close a £30 billion gap in the public finances. The chancellor is expected to use her upcoming budget to impose a new levy on people who use limited liability partner

Clyde & Co is relocating its Edinburgh office, moving from its current premises at Albany House to Saltire Court, a landmark Grade A building in the heart of the city’s Exchange District. Global real estate adviser CBRE, working alongside Cushman & Wakefield, secured the move on behalf

The UK government’s proposal to overhaul anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement will impose additional complexity and cost for law firms and consumers of legal services in Scotland, according to the Law Society of Scotland. The government has announced that the Financial Conduct Authority wil

Lord Bracadale has stepped down as chair of the Sheku Bayoh inquiry, more than two months after rejecting calls to quit. The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank-and-file officers, had previously questioned the former judge’s impartiality, citing concerns over his private me

Elon Musk's SpaceX is to pay an undisclosed sum to the makers of party game Cards Against Humanity after trespassing on land which was purchased to frustrate the construction of Donald Trump's border wall with Mexico. The company behind Cards Against Humanity – which bills itself as "a party g

The Scottish Biometrics Commissioner has praised Police Scotland for reducing the number of cases where it captures biometric data from children. In March 2023 the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner, Dr Brian Plastow, published a review in which he called on Police Scotland to develop a policy for the

A man who allegedly pretended to be a lawyer to visit his girlfriend in jail was caught after guards spotted them hugging and kissing. Aaron Oldham gained access to Oklahoma County Detention Center via the attorney's visitation area after claiming to represent Christine Hillier, who was actually his

The SYLA 2025 AGM will take place on 29th October 2025. At the AGM, the 2024/2025 president, Patricia Taylor, will present a brief overview of activities undertaken in the previous term, the 2024/2025 Treasurer, Caitlin Bell, will present our annual accounts, and the SYLA will elect a new Committee

Anderson Strathern pays tribute to partner Stephen McDonagh, who has passed away suddenly. It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our dear partner, Stephen McDonagh.