News

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has closed its consultation on updates made to its Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations, following the Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers. Last year the EHRC ran a 12-week consultation

A rapist who systematically groomed and abused eight vulnerable young girls over the course of 16 years has been jailed. Gary MacPherson was found guilty of 22 charges, including rape, on 12 May 2025 following a trial at the High Court in Paisley.

Defence solicitors in Dundee are stepping up industrial action after what they described as “fruitless” talks with the Scottish government over criminal legal aid funding. Members of the Dundee Bar Association (DBA) have voted to withdraw from a scheme operating at Dundee Sheriff Court t

Views are being sought on a bill that would introduce the crime of ecocide into Scotland. The Ecocide (Scotland) Bill was introduced by Monica Lennon MSP on 29 May. Ms Lennon believes that creating a distinct criminal offence and increasing the penalties for perpetrators would reduce the likelihood

A 92-year-old man has been found guilty of the rape and murder of a 75-year-old widow in 1967 in what is believed to be the longest-running cold case ever solved in the UK. Ryland Headley, aged 34 at the time, broke into the home of Louisa Dunne in Bristol in June 1967 and attacked her. Her body was

A viral video clip has captured the moment a man joined a remote court hearing while using the toilet. Footage of the man clearly sitting on a toilet seat and making full use of the facilities was broadcast to the public via the YouTube stream from Gujarat High Court in India.

The English courts are to hear a challenge to the judicial appointments process on the basis that it still involves "secret soundings" which act as a barrier to diversity on the bench. A member of the GMB trade union's dedicated branch for members of the judiciary is challenging the Judicial Appoint

The WS Society's first group of summer scholars began their two week programme at the Signet Library. Maria Taciuk-Cabrolier (University of Edinburgh), Struan Macdonald (University of Dundee) and Charles Phillips (University of Edinburgh) will be researching the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill and prep

A man who subjected two young women and a newborn baby to a campaign of violence and abuse has been jailed. Jay Dixon, 22, from Dundee, carried out a series of cruel acts on a four-week-old boy while controlling and degrading the child’s mother. A nurse noticed extensive bruising on the infant

Arnot Manderson Advocates has welcomed Euan Bruce, Caitlin Connor, Darren Cox, Jamie Perriam and Alan Wickham to the stable following their admission to Faculty on Friday. This follows directly on from the recent success of two well attended Better the Devil You Know Seminars where the quintet impre

The friezes that adorn the UK Supreme Court building have been examined in a new article by Liam Fox, the court's information officer.  "The Middlesex Guildhall, the building which has been home to the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) and the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) since 2009, is

Faculty welcomed 27 new members at calling ceremonies held last week.

A sheriff has retired after 15 years' service in Ayr. A special decommissioning ceremony was held at Ayr Sheriff Court held on Friday for Sheriff Desmond Leslie.

Raeburn Christie Clark and Wallace has announced the appointment of Hannah Cruickshank as the newest member of its residential conveyancing team. She joins the firm as an associate and brings with her a wealth of experience to the firm.

Denmark is to update its copyright laws to give everyone a right to their own likeness and voice in response to the rise of AI-generated deepfakes. The Danish culture ministry announced last week that the move had been agreed by the three-party government coalition as well as six opposition parties,