News

Thomas Ross QC dissects the latest judgment in the fascinating EncroChat saga. In my last article on this topic I predicted widespread legal challenges to attempts by prosecutors to lead evidence obtained as part of the ‘Encro Hack’ – carried out by French police in May 2020. That

Elizabeth Bremner takes a look at what 2021 has in store for employment law. The pandemic dominated most aspects of our lives in 2020 and employment law was no exception. The introduction of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and its subsequent variations was undoubtedly the most talked abo

Almost one third of prosecutions made under emergency coronavirus laws have been brought incompetently, leading to hundreds of cases being dropped. New analysis by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) found that 359 of 1,252 charges last year were either withdrawn or quashed in court.

TLT has supported the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) with a successful campaign to create a new law that makes abusing a shop worker an aggravated offence in Scotland. TLT advised the SGF – who first introduced the private member’s bill on 10 October 2019 – on the wording

Deborah Allan takes stock of the steps taken in pursuit of LGBTQ+ equality and inclusivity.  2020 has, without doubt, been one of the most testing experiences many of us have faced in our lifetimes. Unfortunately, the voices of the marginalised are often drowned out at a time when they need to

Professor Philippe Sands QC will join Conor Gearty to discuss his life and career at a free online event early next month. The discussion with the award-winning author, academic and barrister is being hosted by The British Academy as part of its Leaders in SHAPE series.

A man who stole a pair of handcuffs more than 60 years ago has sheepishly returned them to the police. The 74-year-old grandfather returned the handcuffs to the Los Angeles Police Department with an apologetic letter and a $100 donation.

Two separate Crown appeals against what it considered unduly lenient sentences handed to two men convicted of dangerous driving charges have been rejected by the Appeal Court of the High Court of Justiciary. The appellants, Shaun Gatti and Stephen Jones, both pled guilty to the c

A legal case arguing that the Scottish Parliament should be able to pass a law to hold an independence referendum without the consent of the UK government has failed in the Court of Session. Declarator to this effect was sought by Martin James Keatings. He also argued that no amendment would need to

Malicious prosecution victim David Whitehouse has called on judges to let any future investigation of the Crown Office use key documents. Lawyers for David Whitehouse, who was arrested and spent time in jail after becoming embroiled in a botched prosecution, said there was “every possibility&r

The Scottish Parliament's Committee on the Handling of Harassment Complaints is reaching the most crucial stage of its difficult task. On Tuesday Alex Salmond gives evidence. After hearing the evidence of that crucial witness the committee will turn its attention to the evidence of Nicola Sturgeon.

Human rights lawyer Debora Kayembe has been named rector of the University of Edinburgh. The lawyer, who came to the UK as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has made her home in Scotland since 2011.

I read with great interest, the article by Benjamin Bestgen The Rights of the Dead. My comment is directed solely at ”disinheriting the family”. The system which we have in Scotland of legal rights has its supporters whose principal argument sees to be that it provides certainty, which,

Holyrood has formally been asked to "right a terrible miscarriage of justice" suffered by the 4,000 people accused and executed for witchcraft. A petition lodged by Claire Mitchell QC seeks a pardon as well as an official apology and a memorial in recognition of Scotland's witches, the vast majority

Two drugs couriers have been jailed after being caught bringing almost £6 million worth of cocaine into Scotland. David Murdoch, 56, and Graham McCulloch, 39, both pled guilty to supplying drugs and possessing criminal property in connection with serious organised crime.