News

The head of the courts service has apologised to a black barrister who was mistaken for a defendant three times in a single day at court. Kevin Sadler, acting chief executive of HM Courts and Tribunals Service, promised to investigate the complaint of Alexandra Wilson, of 5SAH chambers.

The European Commission has decided to appeal a court ruling that US tech giant Apple did not receive illegal state aid from Ireland and does not have to pay €14 billion in back taxes. The Commission concluded in 2016 that Ireland broke EU state aid rules by granting undue tax benefits to Apple

The Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC) has approved new rules which will allow the use of Civil Online Procedure claim forms. The change means that from 1 December 2020, if agents or party litigants wish to submit a simple procedure claim this will have to be done through Civil Online.

Addleshaw Goddard has partnered with University of Strathclyde's Fraser of Allander Institute to explore digital and technology trends within the Scottish business community during the COVID-19 pandemic. An upcoming report, due to be published on 1 October, is a continuation of the report published

Georgia Dawson has become the first woman senior partner of magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP. Ms Dawson, who currently serves as the firm's Asia managing partner and the leader of the Asia dispute resolution practice, will lead a new senior leadership team which will consist

Law student Kate Scarborough has completed her internship with Scottish Legal News. Miss Scarborough, who begins the diploma at Dundee University next week, said she had "thoroughly enjoyed" her time working at SLN this summer and was "sad to be at the end of it".

Rival rabbit breeders were left with broken ribs and bloodied noses after a prize rabbit show descended into chaos. The fight broke out at Germany's 27th Federal Buck Rabbit Show when rival breeders accused Jurgen Erdmann of cheating by giving his rabbits skin grafts.

A man who was found in possession of indecent images of children and convicted of offences under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 has had his appeal against conviction refused. Fevos Georgiou was given a community payback order which incorporated a 2 year supervision order and

The Faculty of Advocates and the Law Society of Scotland have welcomed the Scottish government's proposed changes to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill, made in Parliament yesterday. The proposed amendments, if agreed to by Parliament, would mean a conviction for new offences of "s

A speaker’s profile of one of Scotland’s best-known sheriffs that included a photograph of him dressed in wig and robes was removed from an after-dinner speakers’ website hours after Scottish Legal News raised the matter with the Judicial Office for Scotland. Performing Artistes is

Social media giant Facebook has played down suggestions that it will withdraw from Europe despite suggesting in an Irish court filing that it may have to. Yvonne Cunnane, Facebook's associate general counsel, told the High Court that it was "not clear" how the company could "continue to provide the

Sarah Lilley discusses the impact of COVID-19 on courts in Scotland, particularly those in more rural areas. The impact of COVID-19 has resulted in us adapting many practices in our daily lives, both personally and professionally. The Scottish courts are no exception. As a busy family lawyer pr

The Law Commission in England and Wales has proposed making sex or gender a protected characteristic. This would be added to the currently protected characteristics of race, religion, sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity. The proposals are outlined in a consultation

The Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution (SCCR) is hosting an online event on "The Understanding Model of Mediation: meeting the challenge of mediation's promise" in place of its annual conference. Stephen O'Rourke QC is an advocate, arbitrator, mediator and novelist and Gary Fried

Three University of Dundee law graduates have been awarded funding as a result of a memorial bursary set up by legal firm Blackadders in conjunction with the university. Brogan Smith, Amina Aslam and Molly MacQueen have each received £250 from the Ken Scott Bursary which provides support based