News

The Outer House of the Court of Session has continued a case involving a dispute based on the sale of a castle in Berwickshire and accompanying barony to allow the parties a proof before answer. Richard Syred and another purchased Ayton Castle, together with the Dignity of the Barony

Addleshaw Goddard has announced a new leadership role for David Kirchin who has been appointed head of Scotland for the firm, combining that additional responsibility with his advisory role as a corporate partner. Mr Kirchin succeeds Malcolm McPherson who has retired from the partnership, but remain

Thorntons has continued to encourage its private client team to pursue training and development, as three more solicitors have recently passed their Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) exams. Chris Gardiner, Stuart Mackie and Lisa Hainey are the latest to complete the STEP qualification

Lawyers’ associations from around the world, including the Faculty of Advocates, have issued a 'call for action' in support of the vital role of an independent legal profession in the rule of law. The call for action has been directed at UN member states on the 30th anniversary of the adoption

Benjamin Bestgen gives us the truth about methods of lie detection. See his last jurisprudential primer here. Last month, I sketched out some definition problems we encounter when considering what a lie is. I also noted that humans are bad lie detectors. Research tells us that even supposed experts

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found that a private hospital group and seven consultant ophthalmologists broke competition law by taking part in illegal price-fixing. Following an investigation by the CMA, Spire Healthcare Limited and Spire Healthcare Group plc has admitted tha

In its recent judgment in Gladman v Scottish Ministers, the Court of Session set out its interpretation of how Scottish planning policy applies a tilted balance to planning decision making in Scotland. Terra Firma Chambers’ James Findlay QC and Craig Whelton of Burges Salmon acted for Gladman

Edinburgh Law School's Professor Jo Shaw has presented her new book, The People in Question: Citizens and Constitutions in Uncertain Times, at a virtual book launch. Professor Shaw has also produced an essay which updates the book to take into consideration the current crisis – The pandemic an

Spaniards who work from home will be given the right to suggest their working hours and to claim teleworking expenses from their employer, under a new bill. The country's Ministry of Labour has introduced the draft legislation for employees who work from home, El País reports.

The Rolling Stones have threatened legal action against Donald Trump after he used their songs at his campaign rallies. The band said it is working with music rights organisation BMI to stop Trump's use of their songs as part of his re-election campaign.

The Appeal Court of the High Court of Justiciary has refused an appeal against conviction by a man convicted of assaulting his baby daughter between May and July 2017. The appellant, known as SI, submitted that the serious injuries could have happened while the child was being looked

Terra Firma Chambers has announced that Fergus Colquhoun has joined the stable. Prior to calling, Mr Colquhoun trained with an Edinburgh private client firm, gaining extensive experience in most aspects of urban and rural property law, trust law, and taxation.

The Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Gordon Jackson QC, has stepped down after four years in the post. Mr Jackson was elected Dean – the first Dean from the criminal branch of the Faculty – in June 2016, to succeed James Wolffe QC, who had been appointed Lord Advocate. Mr Jackson had be

Morton Fraser has announced 17 new solicitor promotions. The appointments, effective from 1 July, cover the following practice areas: agricultural and rural, banking and finance, commercial property, construction, succession and tax planning, employment and litigation. Forming part of Mort

The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has today announced its unanimous support for the general principles of the Protection of Workers Bill after it published its stage one report on the bill. The bill, which seeks to increase protection for retail workers, was introduced by Daniel Johnson MS