News

On Thursday 18th November 2021 I appeared on John Beattie’s Drivetime Show on BBC Radio Scotland to discuss the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Esther Brown – and the criminal proceedings that followed. It occurred to me that there were certain public misconceptions about t

New homes and buildings such as supermarkets and workplaces, as well as those undergoing major renovation, will be required to install electric vehicle charge points from next year, under new UK government legislation announced today. Up to 145,000 extra charge points will be installed across Englan

Thompsons Solicitors has announced the appointment of Craig Snee to the role of senior solicitor in its Dundee office. Mr Snee was attracted to Thompsons because of the firm's commitment to social justice, as exemplified by its close work with the trade union movement.

A paper that brings together the evidence about Covid certification has been published. The paper reports on the operation of the current certification scheme, reviews the approaches adopted by other countries and examines the evidence behind expanding the scheme. It considers Covid transmission, pu

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab has been attacked by the bar over claims he is ignoring the problems in the criminal courts, The Times reports. Mr Raab was accused of snubbing the Bar Council's annual conference over the weekend after he failed to make a speech in person. He sent a pre-recorded video

Just Employment Law has raised £73,000 for Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland through an online auction. The proceeds from the auction will help fund vital research, awareness and support for those impacted by Pancreatic Cancer.

A senior politician charged with cleaning up Norway's expenses system has resigned a month into the role after being embroiled in an expenses scandal. Eva Kristin Hansen, 48, was elected as president of the Storting, Norway's parliament, just six weeks ago, but is now facing a police investigation f

An Iraqi police officer who sought asylum on the basis that he was at risk of persecution if he returned to Iraq has been refused permission to appeal against a decision not to allow him to proceed with a judicial review of the decision to reject his application. The appellant, referred to as COF, h

The Scottish Parliament’s Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee is beginning an inquiry looking at the Scottish government’s use of emergency regulation making powers. The regulation making power, known as the ‘made affirmative procedure’, has been used over 100 times by

Lawyers' groups have rejected proposals to entrench the use of online courts in civil hearings. Compass Chambers said in its response to a consultation by the Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC) that "the default position ought to be that hearings are conducted in person".

The age of criminal responsibility in Scotland will increase from eight to 12 next month. Children’s minister Clare Haughey has confirmed the Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act 2019 will be fully in place from 17 December.

UK banks will be forced to refund victims of Authorised Push Payment (APP) scams under new changes to the law published by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR). A consultation launched by the PSR yesterday, announced proposals today to make reimbursement for scam victims mandatory.

New laws will ban drivers from scrolling through playlists on their phones from next year as part of a UK government tightening of road safety. It is already illegal to text or make a phone call – other than in an emergency – using a hand-held device while driving. Next year, laws w

More alleged victims of sexual abuse have joined a class action suit against Celtic FC. It means that there are now around 35 people who claim to have been victims of molestation at Celtic Boys Club.

The Edinburgh Tax Network and the Chartered Institute of Taxation, in conjunction with Terra Firma Chambers, will present a talk entitled Estate Planning with Pensions- A Guide for Tax Advisers and Solicitors on Tuesday 30 November 2021, from 12noon to 1pm. Presented by Richard Johnston of