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Public inquiries should be given a clear deadline in their terms of reference to avoid unnecessary and excessive costs, a House of Lords committee has recommended. The Lords Statutory Inquiries Committee has today published a report urging a major overhaul of the way public inquiries are set up and

On 7 September 2024 the profession lost one of its true originals and, for those of us that knew and worked with him, a very special colleague and friend. Richard Alexander Barrie – or “RAB” – died peacefully at home after having carried himself with indefatigable courage sin

The annual Red Mass to mark the beginning of the new legal year in Scotland takes place on Sunday 22 September at noon. The mass will be celebrated in St Mary’s R.C. Cathedral, Broughton Street, Edinburgh, and the principal celebrant will be the Most Reverend Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andr

The Scottish Young Lawyers' Association (SYLA) has re-elected Patricia Taylor for a second term as its president. SYLA has created a number of new positions on its committee, at both executive and non-executive level. It now has a social media manager, supporting roles for secretary and treasurer an

Advocate General for Scotland Catherine Smith KC has welcomed a new panel of standing junior counsel to deal with UK government work arising in the Scottish courts. The appointments, which have been approved by her, are as follows:

A woman who used a voice-changing application to sound like a man during a stalking campaign has been jailed for two years and four months. Adele Rennie, from Kilmarnock, pretended to be a male pharmacist when she matched with her victim on the dating platform Tinder in August 2023.

Short-term let (STL) operators in Edinburgh will now be able to apply for planning permission before their licences are determined following a successful legal challenge.

The Conveyancing Information Executive (CIE) has announced the membership of Millar & Bryce as an associate member. Richard Hepburn, managing director of Millar & Bryce, said: “Millar & Bryce has been a cornerstone of the Scottish property industry providing search and property rep

The Law Society of England and Wales could pay Council members for the first time under proposals to be debated at its AGM next month. The move is being considered in response to the removal in March 2023 of a tax break which allowed Council members to claim an annual expense allowance (AEA) worth a

The policing minister of England and Wales had her handbag stolen at a conference of senior police officers this week. Dame Diana Johnson delivered a speech at the annual Police Superintendents’ Conference on Tuesday detailing how the UK government plans to improve neighbourhood policing.

Solicitor Enda Lavery amused followers on LinkedIn with this photograph of the toilets at Downpatrick courthouse.

America's Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is looking for victims of the Lockerbie bombing ahead of the trial of a Libyan suspect in the US next year.

The prisoner reception system should be examined following the death of a man in custody, a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) has concluded. William Lothian, 66, died in HMP Edinburgh on 14 May 2021 after hanging himself. The FAI was a mandatory inquiry since the death of Mr Lothian occurred while he was

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. Brazil’s human rights minister sacked over sexual harassment allegations

Edinburgh Law School will host the Palestinian ambassador at an event next month in which he will discuss an international ruling on Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory. His excellency Dr Husam Zomlot is the ambassador of the State of Palestine, Palestinian Mission to the United Kingdom. An