News

Legislation aiming to simplify the funding system for learners at college and university and apprentices in Scotland has been published. The Scottish government has introduced the Tertiary Education and Training Bill at Holyrood, which is expected to examine it over the course of this year. 

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. Sudanese people are ‘starving to death’, Human Rights Watch says

Two bereaved families have launched a legal challenge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) after they were denied financial support.

Alyson Forbes has been appointed as a legal member to the board of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission (SCCRC). Miss Forbes was a procurator fiscal depute in Crown Office for 22 years. She worked in both the High Court and Appeals Units in the Crown Office.

Freshers at Oxford University gathered on campus last weekend to compete in a mooting event organised by the Oxford Commercial Chancery Law Society (OCCLS). The moot, held at Magdalen College in Oxford, was sponsored by the Faculty of Advocates. The participating students were judged by Dr Jordan En

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is offering a free online training course for human rights defenders working on cases relating to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).  Taking place from 17–27 February, the programme is divided into 16 sessions co

The average selling price of property in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders experienced a significant increase from November 2024 to January 2025, rising 4.6 per cent annually to £287,184.  ESPC saw an increase in the average selling price across the majority of areas covered i

TLT has advised a Glasgow-based diagnostics company that has pioneered the early detection and identification of cancer on a multimillion-pound investment. The funding will facilitate the business’ growth and expand its commercial presence in the US.

A judge who was excused from jury duty because he said he thinks all defendants are guilty has been forced to resign from the bench. Judge Richard T. Snyder, of Petersburgh Town Court in New York, was referred to the judicial watchdog after making the remarks.

An investigation is underway after a fire was deliberately started at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court early this morning. Emergency services responded to reports of a door on fire at the court on Whytescauseway at around 4.50am. While the blaze has been extinguished, a police cordon remains in place.

A woman who was assaulted by her husband was unable to secure civil legal aid for her divorce, despite contacting more than 116 law firms. The mother-of-two from the Highlands qualified for legal aid due to being on universal credit but said no firms were willing or able to take on her case. Some re

The public inquiry into patient safety at Scotland’s largest hospital has lost a legal challenge after it rejected new evidence from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC). NHS GGC last year submitted a 218-page report to the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, stating there had been no excess infect

A domestic abuser who tried to murder his estranged wife by running her over twice has been jailed for more than seven years. William Budge also admitted subjecting his victim to a campaign of abuse when he appeared at the High Court in Edinburgh on 6 January.  

Lady Tait has been sworn in as a senator of the College of Justice. Lady Tait was sworn in by the Lord President, Lord Pentland, in a ceremony at the Court of Session yesterday. After administering the Oath of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath, Lord Pentland invited Lady Tait to take her seat on the

Advocate Paul Harvey and Lord Turnbull's new book, The Law of Sexual Offences in Scotland, is now available to buy. The book, published by Bloomsbury Professional, is the comprehensive guide to the law and practice of sexual offences in Scotland.