News

A man who suffered from a mental health condition and was charged with rape has failed in his challenge of a decision to desert the indictment against him under section 56(5) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 with a view to the Crown immediately serving a new one. Counsel for&n

Scots lawyers would like the 'not proven' verdict preserved whether Scotland adopts a two or three verdict system, a survey by the Law Society of Scotland has found. The survey – the majority of whose respondents were civil practitioners – asked about the need for change in the context o

The spectre of weekend courts has appeared yet again, despite total opposition from the legal profession. The pleas of lawyers have been ignored by the authorities, with courts due to sit during the COP26 summit to absorb the “anticipated surge” in cases.

Brodies LLP saw profits rise from £38.5m to £39m in the 12 months to 30 April 2021. The firm also reported revenue of £82.5m, up from £82m in the previous year while cash balances grew to £30.7m from £25.4m.

The regime on court orders determining with whom a child lives or spends time is changing, writes Alison Nicol. The factors which a Scottish court must consider when deciding with whom a child should live or otherwise spend time are changing to include the effect a court order might have on &ld

An increasing number of women are bringing cases to the Employment Tribunal which cite menopause as the reason for unfair dismissal and direct sex discrimination, The Guardian reports. New data show that there were five tribunals that detailed the claimant's menopause in 2018, six in 2019 and 16 in

Former advocate general at the Court of Justice of the European Union, Eleanor Sharpston QC, has given an account of her dismissal and her unsuccessful legal action challenging it. In a statement, she expressed sadness that the court had “failed to grasp the opportunity offered to it by the tw

A new offence of "pet abduction" is to be created to address the escalating problem of dognapping. Justice Secretary Robert Buckland QC MP's legislation will reflect the fact that stealing a pet can be cruel to the animal and traumatic to its owner.

The Scottish property market continued its upward trend during May, June, and July 2021, as buyers flocked to secure homes across Edinburgh, Lothians, Fife, and the Borders, ESPC reports. The average selling price rose to £275,623 – up 7.6 per cent on the same period in 2020.

Advocate Craig Murray, of Compass Chambers, is undertaking a solo English Channel swim between 14 and 25 August 2021 (weather and tides permitting) to raise money for Dreams Come True – a national charity which gives children with life-limiting conditions the opportunity to fulfil their d

Three women judges have made history in Wales after sitting as part of the criminal division of the Court of Appeal – the first time it has sat in Wales as an all-female court.

An Iranian official accused of helping to oversee mass executions of dissidents in the 1980s will go on trial in Sweden tomorrow, The Times reports. Hamid Nouri, 60, was arrested in November 2019 upon arriving at Stockholm airport on a trip to see relatives.

Fast food giant McDonald's is facing a lawsuit from an Orthodox Christian who claims its advertising pushed her to break her month-long fast for Lent. Ksenia Ovchinnikova is demanding 1,000 rubles (around €11.60 EUR) in compensation for "moral damage" after her moment of weakness, RIA Novosti r

A sheriff in Airdrie Sheriff Court has refused to dismiss a crave by a divorcing husband for the sum of £100,000 based on the inclusion of a joint liferent interest among the couple’s matrimonial assets. Andrew Kelly, who initiated a divorce action against his wife Linda K

Govanhill Law Centre's future is in doubt after its application for a £75,000 grant was rejected by the Scottish government, The Herald reports. Rachel Moon, senior solicitor and legal services manager, said that if the centre does not close it will have to "dilute" its services.