News

Sheriff courts can now proceed to hear and dispose of cases where it is agreed by parties that they can be resolved without the need for a trial. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, criminal court business in Scotland is currently limited to urgent and essential business which includes custody hearings

Emergency measures that aim to protect people facing financial hardship and allow public services to operate effectively have been introduced at Holyrood in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Key elements of the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill include a proposed additional £19.2 million

Balfour and Manson has been appointed as one of the suppliers in a new framework to provide legal advice in a range of areas to the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) and Police Scotland. The firm submitted a successful tender to the SPA/Police Scotland in three different areas of its framework: genera

Payment of half of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) levy has been deferred until December 1. The move comes after talks between the SLCC and the Law Society of Scotland over the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the legal profession, clients and public.

Rachel Wood WS, an experienced Scottish solicitor will join the senior leadership team of the Law Society of Scotland next week as the new executive director of regulation. Ms Wood has over 25 years' experience in the legal sector and significant experience in risk and compliance, people leadership

Karen Dance looks at certain law reforms in the context of the latest personal injury court statistics. From 27 April 2020, Scottish solicitors have been able to enter into agreements with their clients in all personal injury claims to take a percentage share of damages as a fee for success. The leg

Leigh Day is investigating a potential group claim against the German car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz over an alleged ‘cheat device’ fitted on some of its cars in order to artificially reduce emissions to pass EU emissions tests. The claims are being investigated on behalf of owners of Me

The funeral of Derek Ogg QC (which will be restricted to 20 people due to COVID-19) will take place on Friday 15 May, at 3pm. Due to the restriction on numbers, the funeral can be viewed remotely by live link. Anyone wishing to do so must send an email to either louisearrol@btinternet.com or lmglanc

Solicitors have reported that some house buyers are choosing to submit an offer after viewing a property virtually.

TLT's former managing partner David Pester has started a new role as head of strategic growth at the UK firm, which has offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow. After 19 years as managing partner, he will work with the leadership team to deliver a strategic growth programme to support existing clients and

Addleshaw Goddard is the latest legal firm to sign up as a member to The Glass Charter – which aims to promote and develop LGBTQ+ inclusiveness within the Scottish legal profession.

A judge has questioned the decision to prosecute a homeless man for breaching coronavirus laws by leaving his home. Sultan Monsour, 45, was arrested in London and charged with being "outside of the place where you were living, namely no fixed address", The Guardian reports.

The Outer House of the Court of Session has refused a petition for judicial review of the decision by the Scottish Ministers to issue a call-in notice in respect of a local authority’s decision to implement a proposal to close a rural primary school. Perth and Kinross Council notified the

An Inverness Sheriff Court commercial case will provide the first opportunity to test the use of virtual court hearings in Scotland’s sheriff courts.  Tuesday’s hearing will enable parties in the case to appear before Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle in a virtual courtroom.

Addleshaw Goddard has announced the promotion of Paul Ewing to partner in its Edinburgh office, bringing the total number of partners in Scotland up to 42. Mr Ewing joined legacy firm HBJ in 2014 and over the past six years has advised clients on a wide range of work across the real estate sector. H