News

Couples are set to be married in online weddings following a shake-up of marriage rules in New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Twitter that he is issuing an executive order allowing for marriage licenses to be obtained remotely and for clerks to perform ceremonies via video conference.

A woman who was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for shaking an eight-month-old baby and endangering her life has lost her appeal against conviction. Syeda Begum appealed on the grounds that the trial judge had misdirected the jury regarding expert evidence and had erred in repelling a de

The first online court hearings in response to the coronavirus situation will get underway this week as work continues to get Sheriff Court business online. The Court of Session virtual court will convene with an Inner House case tomorrow before the Lord President, Lord Carloway, sitting with Lords

The Society of Solicitor Advocates has expressed opposition to the suggestion by the Scottish government that juries be abolished in solemn trials for the duration of the coronavirus emergency. The option, which was tabled again by the Scottish government last week but which is not expected to appea

The Scottish government and Scottish Prison Service intend to introduce mobile phones in Scotland’s prisons to maintain contact between people in custody and their families during the COVID-19 outbreak. The move follows the suspension of visits to help protect all those within prisons, includi

The Scottish Law Agents Society (SLAS) has called on Revenue Scotland to extend the period within which additional dwelling supplement tax can be reclaimed – to 24 months. SLAS raised concerns that its clients will suffer financial loss as a result of the current coronavirus pandemic wher

Douglas Mill looks at some of the opportunities the current lockdown presents. Or perhaps two months. Or longer. Who knows. And that is the worst of it, as business planning and strategy without a timeline is impossible. Part of the difficulty of the current situation is, I think, psychological for

The Competition Appeal Tribunal has issued its judgment following its first sitting in Scotland in 15 years. On 2 March 2020, the Tribunal, chaired by Lord Doherty, heard legal arguments on whether or not Creative Scotland, the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries acros

Healthcare workers should be granted "immunity" from civil liability for medical negligence during the coronavirus pandemic, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has said. The largest medical defence organisation in the UK, which provides legal support to around 200,000 healthcare workers, said existing

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, UKELA Scotland had begun preparing for its annual conference. At present it is still hoped that the conference will be able to proceed, and topics and speakers have been identified. The proposed date for the conference is Thursday 24th September 2020.

A footballer who broke his contract by driving the wrong car has been ordered to sign autographs for Audi employees as punishment. Kingsley Coman, who plays for Bayern Munich and the French national team, narrowly avoided a €50,000 fine after arriving at a training session for Bayern in a McLar

When Dundee United Football Club were named winners of the SPFL Championship last week it should have been cause for serious celebration. It is not every day, after all, that a club gets to claim promotion to the Premiership. Yet as Laura McCallum, head of football administration and legal affairs a

A city council that refused to allow a developer to proceed with the development of a mixed-use site without complying with a condition of their original planning permission has had their appeal against a decision to allow it refused. The City of Edinburgh Council (the appellant) originall

Progress in resuming civil court business has been applauded by the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Roddy Dunlop QC. While emphasising that much still needed to be done, Mr Dunlop hailed “admirable advances” and praised the efforts of all parties seeking to ensure the delivery of

A construction law expert has warned against the potential consequences of communicating through post as workers are still being urged to stay at home. Ross Taylor, partner and construction law specialist at Wright, Johnston and Mackenzie LLP, has called on businesses to come together and stick to d