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Senators of the College of Justice have warned of inconsistency and ambiguity in proposed hate crime legislation. In a response to Holyrood's Justice Committee, judges noted that free speech provisions in clauses 11 and 12 of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill only apply

Shepherd and Wedderburn has reported two per cent turnover growth to £56.9 million in the year to April 30, 2020, with profits before partner distributions down 1.7 per cent to £22.4 million. Shepherd and Wedderburn’s clean energy group reported record revenues during the peri

New legislation which would incorporate the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scots law and allow children to take public authorities to court for breaches of their rights is to be considered by a Holyrood Committee. The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Huma

The police and courts could gain the power to remove suspected domestic abusers from victims' homes under proposed legislation. Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf announced that the Scottish government's Domestic Abuse Bill will be considered "within weeks" and if passed would let police ban suspected a

Zoe McDonnell and Julie Brodtkorb consider recent proposals to introduce longer sentences for dangerous drivers. Drivers across the UK should take note of a proposal on the sentencing of dangerous drivers who cause death discussed at the UK Parliament on 21 July 2020. Former Prime Minister Ther

Thousands of women who were executed from the 16th to 18th centuries after being accused of witchcraft have been commemorated at an event in Fife. Three plaques along the Fife trail were unveiled at the ceremony to commemorate the accused women of Culcross, Torryburn and Valleyfield.

Neilsons looks at the release of pent up demand for property in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Back in April, we reported that the local property market effectively entered a necessary “sleep mode” to protect the NHS with the pandemic at its peak. We argued against other commentators about

Solicitor William James Smith is running the Virtual Great North Run on 13 September in aid of the Poverty Relief project at Glasgow Central Mosque. He said: "Once again, I hope to raise some money for Poverty Relief. Any money raised will be used to help them continue their weekly food kitchen

The time suspects charged with serious crimes can be held in custody before being brought to trial has been extended in England by nearly a third, from 182 to 238 days. The controversial change was announced by Justice Secretary Robert Buckland QC under "temporary legislation".

The family of the former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco have been ordered to return a palace in Galicia to the state. Although Franco's heirs have owned the property for more than four decades, the court of La Coruña said that the palace was donated to the state and not the fascist dictato

A convicted prisoner detained at HMP Barlinnie subject to an order for lifelong restriction has had his petition for judicial review of the decision of the Scottish Ministers and Glasgow City Council not to conduct any risk assessment exercises in relation to him refused.  Thomas O’Leary&

Holyrood's Justice Committee has announced its timetable for parliamentary scrutiny of the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill. The committee intends to start hearing oral evidence from witnesses in late October, with a view to completing its stage 1 report by 18 December 2020.

A new Vice President and four new sheriffs have been appointed to the Sheriff Appeal Court. The Lord President, Lord Carloway, appointed Sheriff Principal Duncan Murray as Vice President of the court; while Sheriffs Lorna Drummond, Robert Fife, Thomas McCartney and Fiona Tait were appointed as appea

Just Employment Law has appointed two newly qualified solicitors. Lauren Wilson and Pauline Hughes join the legal team following the successful completion of their traineeships with the firm.

Ryan Russell has been designated an accredited specialist in employment law by the Law Society of Scotland. Mr Russell is a partner with MML Legal in Dundee and former SLN Lawyer of the Month.