News

The International Bar Association (IBA) has announced that it will establish a new committee – the Forum for Government and Public Lawyers. Andrew Mackenzie and Federica D’Alessandra, both members of the Section on Public and Professional Interest Council, will establish and co-chair the

Cats could provide crucial evidence in criminal trials, researchers have suggested – because their fur collects human DNA. Forensic scientists at Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia have shown for the first time that household cats are covered in human DNA, mostly from the people

The Scottish Information Commissioner has reported a significant increase in the number of appeals made from people who are unhappy with a Scottish public authority’s handling of a freedom of information (FOI) request. The commissioner’s latest report reveals that, during 2021-22, he rec

Andrew Blain has been re-elected as managing partner of Shepherd and Wedderburn from 1 May 2023. Mr Blain was first elected managing partner in 2019 after joining Shepherd and Wedderburn in 1989 and becoming a partner in 1996. He led the firm's corporate practice from 2009 until 2019.

Susie Mountain takes a look at a new report on cohabitation. The Scottish Law Commission has published its Report on Cohabitation. The report considers how the existing law governing the rights of cohabitants on separation might be revised and follows a lengthy consultation process with solicitors,

CMS has advised shareholders of Flotation Energy Limited (Flotation) on its cross-border sale to the renewable power division of Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings (TEPCO) Incorporated. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, TEPCO is Japan’s largest utility company.

BTO has welcomed Cat MacLean as a partner. She will join the firm’s dispute resolution team in Edinburgh on 14 November. A well-respected legal practitioner, Ms MacLean practised at the bar for 10 years before leading a dispute resolution team in a commercial law firm. She has extensive experi

A Northern Ireland-style parades commission is not necessary in Scotland, according to a new report. The creation of a commission was mooted last year after police made arrests at a series of Orange Walks in Glasgow.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has asked Elena Whitham MSP to join the Scottish government as minister for community safety and legal affairs. Ms Whitham will replace Ash Regan, who resigned over her opposition to the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.

Scotland's malicious prosecution scandal has cost taxpayers just over £50 million, the Crown Office has said. The scandal revolves around the botched police investigation into the takeover of Rangers in 2011, when Sir David Murray sold the club for £1 to Craig Whyte.

[The facts of this case are explicit] A man who murdered his infant son has lost a High Court of Justiciary appeal against the length of the punishment part of his life sentence.

Judge Síofra O'Leary has formally taken up the presidency of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The first woman and the first Irish person to serve as president of the court in its 63-year history, she will serve for an initial two-year term until 2024.

Business sentiment in Scotland has entered negative territory for the first time since the end of 2020 according to the latest Addleshaw Goddard Scottish Business Monitor report, with 70 per cent of businesses expecting growth in the Scottish economy to be weak or very weak over the coming year. The

Barney Ross has been elected Clerk of Faculty following a six-way contest. Mr Ross succeeds Richard Pugh KC, who has stepped down after three-and-a-half years in office.

The Scottish Law Commission has published its report and draft bill on financial provision for cohabitants on cessation of cohabitation otherwise than on death. It recommends reform of sections 25 to 28 of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006. Section 29 of the Act, dealing with claims by surviving co