Articles
Ian Mitchell: ‘Not proven’ – the case in favour
Last week Sheriff (rtd.) Douglas Cusine contributed an article to Scottish Legal News entitled ‘Not proven’ debate lacks clarity. In it, he said, “For me, a ‘not proven’ verdict reflects what we have all experienced, and that is, ‘I’m just not sure.” Speaking for others, he said, “It may be that the ‘not proven’ verdict is seen by some as a message along the lines of 'We know you did it, but it has not been proven'.”
Published 13 April 2021
Alastair Shepherd recalls halcyon days of traineeship as 40 years in law come to a close
Alastair K Shepherd reflects on the traineeship he began in 1981 as he retires this month, having spent four decades in the law.
Published 13 April 2021
Resumption of summary criminal business from 19 April
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has confirmed that the scheduled resumption of Sheriff Court summary criminal business will go ahead from Monday 19 April.
Published 13 April 2021
Jennifer Stewart: Stand and deliver – your face mask or your job
Jennifer Stewart details an interesting case on an employee's refusal to wear a mask and his subsequent dismissal.
Published 13 April 2021
UN human rights chief calls for war crimes bill to be revised
The UN's human rights chief has urged Westminster politicians to amend a controversial bill which would protect some British soldiers from prosecution for suspected war crimes overseas.
Published 13 April 2021
Anna Reilly: My experience as a (virtual) trainee secondee
While many started their traineeships during the pandemic, Anna Reilly was also seconded during it.
Published 13 April 2021
Law students up for university award
Two LLB students and the GCU Law Clinic have been shortlisted for the Glasgow Caledonian University STAR Awards. The STAR Awards are an annual celebration event held by the Students’ Association to recognise and celebrate the hard work of volunteers and student groups.
Published 13 April 2021
And finally… bon appetit
French police are cracking down on secret restaurants where wealthy diners have been eating and drinking in breach of Covid-19 restrictions.
Published 13 April 2021
Man charged with exposing himself to children on social media loses appeal against competency of charges
A man who was charged with offences under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009 allegedly committed on online social media platforms has failed to challenge the competency of the three charges brought against him in an appeal under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.
Published 12 April 2021
Tony Lenehan: Abolishing Scotland’s ‘not proven’ verdict would erode trust in juries
With great power comes great responsibility.
Published 12 April 2021
Session Cases At 200: The Nat Fraser appeal
Sheriff Alison Stirling chooses as her top Session Case one of Scotland's most high profile criminal appeals of recent times: Fraser v HM Advocate 2011 SC (UKSC) 113, 2014 JC 115. Vote for your top three Session Cases here.
Published 12 April 2021
UK accession to Lugano Convention imminent
The UK is poised to win support from Brussels to join a European legal cooperation pact.
Published 12 April 2021
Amanda Jack: How can you help to close the gender pension gap?
We have all heard of the gender pay gap but less is said of the gender pension gap: the difference in the retirement income of men and women, writes Amanda Jack.
Published 12 April 2021
Irwin Mitchell considering £500m flotation
Irwin Mitchell is reportedly considering a stock market flotation which would make it the most valuable legal services company on the London Stock Exchange.
Published 12 April 2021
Scottish Civil Justice Council April update
The Scottish Civil Justice Council has published its April Update newsletter.
Published 12 April 2021
