News

The Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Sir Declan Morgan, has warned that the UK government's declared plan to break international law may undermine trust in the government and the administration of justice. Northern Ireland's top judge was sharply critical of government ministers in an in

Morton Fraser and Dickson Minto have committed to using the Law Society of Scotland's contextualised recruitment system to increase workplace diversity and social mobility. Following a successful pilot using the system, which was created by the Law Society in partnership with diversity recruitment s

DLA Piper has announced two promotions in Scotland. Carolyne Hair has been promoted to partner, real estate and Sarah Letson, finance, projects and restructuring, has been promoted to legal director.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service staff have been thanked by NHS Blood and Transplant Scotland's Organ Donation Services Team for their work which contributed to the life-saving organ donation process during COVID-19. The NHS team have acknowledged the significant part that the Scottish

The practice of refusing to rent homes to people on housing benefit has suffered another legal blow after a disabled father won his trial against housing benefit discrimination this week. Supported by Shelter solicitor Rose Arnall, Stephen Tyler was able to successfully prove ‘No DSS’ di

Linda Walker looks at the risks of mixing business and pleasure in the family home. COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown hasn’t been easy on anyone. Families and couples have been stuck in close quarters for long periods, leading to strained moments. For those of us lucky to continue work

A police dog reared from a puppy into an "absolute unit" has been retired before his first day of duty for being too "sweet-natured". Balou was eight weeks old when acquired by police in Bremerhaven, Germany, and was trained for nearly a year-and-a-half, The Times reports.

A citizen of Nigeria who challenged a finding that his petition for judicial review of the decision of the Home Secretary not to treat his further submissions as a fresh claim for asylum was not made within the statutory three-month time limit has had his reclaiming motion against the decision refus

In a rare moment of candour, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis yesterday admitted that the British government was breaking international law by overriding the terms of the EU Withdrawal Agreement that dealt with the Northern Ireland protocol. Scottish Legal News will not be offering a prize t

The Scottish government has said it is "impossible" to recommend that the Scottish Parliament gives consent to the UK government's Internal Market Bill. The bill engages the Sewel Convention and therefore requires the consent of Holyrood.

Scottish Legal News is saddened to report the death of Dundee solicitor John Hall who died aged 52 on 1 September after a short battle with cancer. Mr Hall flew as a commercial pilot with Loganair before deciding to become a lawyer. 

The Law Society of Scotland has recommended changes to the Scottish government's planning policy to improve efficiency and transparency of the planning process. Its Planning Law Committee ran a consultation last year which sought views and feedback on the policy.

Fiona Caldow and Gareth Hale consider a recent decision by the Supreme Court on restrictive covenants in restraint of trade. In Peninsula Securities Limited v Dunnes Stores (Bangor) Limited [2020] UKSC 36, the Supreme Court upheld the terms of a lease, finding that a restrictive

The corporate finance teams at MacRoberts and French Duncan have supported energy firm Together Energy in its £14 million acquisition of Bristol's residential customer base. The sale will see Together Energy acquire 155,000 residential meter points and the Bristol Energy brand and systems.

Alison Bryce considers the uncertainty for the Scottish food and drink industry in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Over the last 47 years, the UK’s laws, regulations and processes have become inextricably linked with the European Union. There are a number of factors to consider in the inevitabl