News

Climate groups are launching two legal cases in the Court of Session to block a decision by UK ministers to grant permission to drain fossil fuels from the Rosebank oilfield. Uplift and Greenpeace UK are attempting to overturn the UK government's decision to permit the development of the oilfield &n

Allowing asylum seekers the right to work could help them settle into communities better while boosting Scotland’s economy and workforce, according to the Scottish government. Research by the government’s independent Expert Advisory Group on Migration and Population sets out how enabling

A cardinal who was in charge of Vatican funds between 2011 and 2018 has been convicted of embezzlement – becoming the first cardinal to stand trial in the Holy See's criminal court. Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, once a former contender for the papacy, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years

Justice Secretary Angela Constance has refused to reveal the public cost of a probe over a sheriff's fitness for office. Ms Constance said the costs over the investigation of Sheriff Jack Brown, who behaved inappropriately towards a female lawyer, would remain undisclosed until the probe had conclud

New powers enabling councils to charge up to double the full rate of council tax on second homes have been agreed by the Scottish Parliament. Councils will be able to increase the charges from 1 April 2024, with rates for the first year being based on those from 2023-24.

A man has been arrested after allegedly vandalising a Satanic display installed in a government building to promote inclusion during the holidays. The Satanic Temple of Iowa was allowed to display a statue of their cloven-hoof idol Baphomet in the state's Capitol building alongside more typical Chri

More than 40 police buildings could be disposed of as Police Scotland deals with budget cuts. New proposals would see 29 stations and buildings scrapped, with the savings reinvested into the single force.

Keoghs is continuing its expansion in Scotland with the appointment of two new partners in the motor and disease teams at its Glasgow offices. Laurie Traynor and Zoe Strong, previously from Ince & Co and Weightmans respectively, will join Keoghs Scotland.

Scotland’s best known (fictional) advocate is back in action this month in The Scotsman with this year’s month-long Christmas serial Edward Kane and the Supernal Sisters. The story focuses on the popularity of seances and other spirited events in the mid 1900s. Ross Macfarlane KC’s

The Scottish Sentencing Council is holding a webinar next month on its new sentencing guideline: Statutory offences of causing death by driving. The webinar, which meets CPD requirements, is aimed at legal practitioners and will take place on Tuesday 16 January 2024 at 4.30pm to coincide with the da

RTA LAW LLP has announced staff changes. Zara Jones, previously a senior solicitor at RTA LAW LLP, has been promoted to the position of associate.

November saw both lower demand and supply in the Scottish property market according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market. Taking a look at demand through November, a net balance of -17 per cent of respondents in Scotland noted a fall in new buyer enquiries

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. Polish abortion verdict violated rights of pregnant woman, human rights court rules

Strathclyde Law School has announced the retirement of Professor Kenneth Norrie, and his appointment as professor emeritus. Professor Norrie has enjoyed a distinguished career over 40 years. Initially a lecturer at Dundee and then at Aberdeen, he has given 33 years’ service to Strathclyde. A S

A notorious mobster has said he has no regrets about posing for a shirtless picture that led to his arrest and imprisonment. Ralph DiMatteo, 68, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment by a New York court after pleading guilty to extortion, conspiracy and money laundering offences, the New York P