News

Emergency legislation on the coronavirus outbreak and the government's budget is to pass through the House of Commons without a vote on Thursday. The bill will be "nodded through", without opposition MPs calling for a vote.

A man convicted of assaulting his partner has failed in an appeal against a sheriff’s decision to impose a non-harassment order. The appellant argued that the order was “not necessary” because the complainer was not was vulnerable and she did not want the protection, but the S

No new criminal jury trials will be commenced in Scotland from today, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has announced. The SCTS said in a statement: "Based on the government’s response to coronavirus we are continually reviewing the operation of the courts and tribunal

Reforms that aim to simplify, clarify and improve electoral law have today been published by the Scottish Law Commission and the Law Commission of England and Wales. Electoral law in the UK is currently spread across 25 major statutes. It has become increasingly complex and fragmented

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) has published guidance to address concerns surrounding COVID-19. This update sets out a number of issues SLAB has changed or clarified in light of the most common concerns solicitors have raised around the COVID-19 virus.

The high rate of life imprisonment in Scotland is driven by both increased punitiveness and attempts to reduce the risk that serious crime poses to society, according to a new academic paper. More people are serving life sentences in Scotland as a proportion of the national population than in any ot

Licensing expert Stephen McGowan comments on the guidance issued by the Scottish government on mass gatherings. As of Monday 16 March 2020, the Scottish government recommends that all large gatherings or mass events of 500 people or more be cancelled or postponed.

Chartered accountants Anderson Anderson & Brown LLP (AAB) and business advisors, has been accepted to join the Law Society of Scotland’s panel of approved accountancy partner firms. As part of the partnership programme, the Law Society seek approved accountants to offer services and advice

This year's Macfadyen Lecture, which was to be delivered by Judge Tim Eicke on Convention caselaw in relation to the environment, has been postponed until November. In a statement, the Scottish Council of Law Reporting said: "We are sorry to say, that in the light of the ever-growing COVID-19 restri

ISIS militants have called on their fellow terrorists to put jihad in Europe on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak. While the group previously encouraged supporters to attack European cities, it now cautions them to “stay away from the land of the epidemic”.

A business restructuring consultant who is suing Police Scotland for £2 million for “malicious prosecution” after he was charged with fraud following the sale of Rangers Football Club Plc has had a motion for summary decree in the action dismissed. David Grier, 57, a former employe

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has ruled that the UK government discriminated against victims of domestic violence by reducing their housing benefits. Background

Succession planning is never an easy topic for business owners. Passing on an independent or family run business as a going concern will be one of the first priorities when looking to retire or move to a different role within the business, writes Bruce Farquhar. Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) an

Amy Jones, associate at Thorntons Solicitors in Dundee, has received an employment law specialist accreditation from the Law Society of Scotland, meaning two-thirds of Thorntons’ employment law team are now recognised as specialists. Ms Jones advises clients in all areas of employment and disc

Hollywood has a tendency to turn divorce lawyers into compelling villains. Fiona Rasmusen looks into depictions of divorce and reveals an alternative process that could stem misery for Scottish families. Anybody who has watched the recent movie, Marriage Story could be forgiven for being put of