News

People can request a forensic medical examination without having to report a crime under a law passed at Holyrood. The Forensic Medical Services Bill, which passed unanimously, places a duty on health boards to give victims direct access to trauma-informed, person-centred forensic medical examinatio

The Lord Justice General has appointed two new members to the Scottish Sentencing Council to fill the current vacancies. Lord Matthews has been appointed as the new senator member and will replace Lord Turnbull following the end of his five-year term on the council, while Summary Sheriff Paul Brown

Children's rights organisations have backed a report calling for an end to compulsory religious worship in Scottish schools. A report by Together (Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights) highlights 30 key issues for children and young people's rights in Scotland.

Shoosmiths has cut 43 roles, including one in Scotland, after finding more efficient ways of working across the business during lockdown. The Scottish post was a business support role.

Graeme Di Rollo demystifies copyright enforcement. Keeping track of who is using your copyright-protected content online can be a daunting task.

Two Scottish men involved in creating false invoices as part of a £45,000 tax fraud have been given prison sentences. David Paterson of Scone collaborated with his accountant Kevin Sinclair of Kirkintilloch to reclaim VAT not due to them, an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation revealed

Burness Paull has been awarded a band one ranking in the first ever fintech guide for Scotland issued by the Chambers and Partners legal directory. Industry figures interviewed by Chambers cited the fact there was “no other firm with such a high-profile and in-depth connectivity to the Scottis

DLA Piper has appointed Lord Tyrie, former chair of the Competition and Markets Authority, as a political consultant. Lord Tyrie will advise clients across a wide range of financial, public policy and corporate governance issues and will work alongside an established team of consultants including Lo

The Judicial Institute briefing paper on restarting solemn trials has been updated. In Chapter 1 under the heading “Procedures”:

A former lawyer detained for more than six months because she reported on the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan has been given a feeding tube so she can be force-fed after going on a hunger strike. Zhang Zhan, 37, was arrested in May and accused of “picking quarrels and stirring up trouble”,

A night owl who couldn't stand the crowing of his neighbour's rooster has been given a five-month suspended prison sentence for shooting it. The 47-year-old fireman from southern France, known only as Gérard A, shot and beat rooster Marcel to death after being woken too early in the morning.

The Sheriff Appeal Court (Criminal Division) has allowed separate appeals by two men convicted of drink driving against the length of their respective driving bans. Graham Hendry and Walter Grant both pled guilty to charges in contravention of Section 5(1)(a) of the Roa

The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee has said it will support the general principles of the Hate Crime Bill on the condition it is amended in line with recommendations the committee is unanimously making.  These recommendations go further than the commitments already made by the Ju

Scotland's legal profession "has to change" to reflect the progressive values it promotes in society, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said in an interview with her alma mater. As part of its celebrations to mark the centenary of women being allowed to practise law, the University of Gla

The Lord Advocate, James Wolffe QC, is to apologise to the former administrators of Rangers for their malicious prosecution. The news follows confirmation that a settlement has been agreed in a multimillion-pound claim against the chief constable of Police Scotland.