News

Family-owned businesses in Scotland face increased challenges in the coming months, as the clock ticks down to "seismic" tax changes in April 2026. According to figures from BDO LLP, more than three quarters of Scottish businesses (78 per cent) say they will be impacted by changes to Business Relief

Women and girls will have greater protection against "hate crimes" under plans being consulted upon by the Scottish government. Draft regulations have been laid in Parliament to add ‘sex’ as a characteristic to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 despite the fact thi

The Scottish government faces the prospect of a legal challenge if the proposed assisted suicide bill going through Holyrood is approved by MSPs. That is the opinion of a barrister who believes the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, promoted as a members’ bill by Lib Dem

The president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has been urged to investigate bizarre remarks about Israel attributed by a newspaper to the court's vice-president. Ugandan judge Julia Sebutinde, who has served on the court since 2012 and as vice-president since 2024, is alleged to have spo

Solicitor firms across the UK are being invited to join the 2025 Will Aid campaign, with two new charity partners announced for this year’s fundraising initiative. Shelter and Crisis are set to benefit from this year’s scheme, now in its 37th year, and are appealing to solicitors to volu

Rights and equalities groups have condemned Police Scotland’s announcement that it will continue work to introduce live facial recognition technology, warning of “racial injustice, creeping surveillance and democratic erosion”.  Fourteen rights and racial justice organisations

A leading City law firm has frozen salaries for newly qualified solicitors in order to fund larger bonuses for high-performers of all levels, including newly qualified lawyers and business services. Addleshaw Goddard, ranked 15th in the UK by earnings, has redirected £1 million earmarked for j

A Scottish government bill should be amended to end collective worship in schools, the National Secular Society has told a Holyrood committee. The Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill would make it more difficult for paren

The University of Stirling has developed guidance to help health and social care providers design and deliver nature-based programmes for people with poor mental health and substance dependence. Experts in substance use at the university have created how-to guidance manuals for nature-based programm

Heroin users in Edinburgh could soon have access to a legal “fix room” under plans for the capital’s first safer drug consumption facility. Sites in the Cowgate and Spittal Street, at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, are the frontrunners to host the service, where up to nine people at

Jim Bauld, a partner at TC Young, is to retire at the end of this month. An expert in housing law, he has represented clients in some of the most significant and precedent-setting cases in the field. His knowledge of eviction law, tenancy succession, property access, repairs, and antisocial behaviou

Hamiltons Law Accountants has welcomed two new trainee law accountants – Jack Watson and Amy Watson. Both new starts will follow the firm's structured training and development programme, working towards their formal SOLAS qualification.

Ryanair has announced a new partnership agreement with the owner of Booking.com following US litigation between the two companies. All customers booking with Booking Holdings brands, which include Booking.com, KAYAK, Priceline and Agoda, will now have access to Ryanair flights with full price transp

An unusual bequest is about to be fulfilled 85 years after it was made, following a decision by East Lothian Council to fund six new homes for rent, providing an annual income for Haddington Common Good Fund. The new homes, which are designed for an ageing population, are part of the redevelopment o

A rail passenger in France has been slapped with a €110 fine for travelling with a cat who allegedly miaowed too much. Parisian couple Camille and Pierre have complained to French rail company SNCF over the treatment of her white cat Monet, BFMTV reports.