News

Clyde & Co has announced the appointment of professional indemnity specialist Beverley Atkinson as a legal director in its Edinburgh office. Ms Atkinson joins the firm from DAC Beachcroft where she worked as a legal director and solicitor advocate defending complex, high value, professional inde

Draft regulations allowing local authorities to charge up to double the full rate of council tax on second homes have been laid before the Scottish Parliament. If approved, local authorities would be able to apply the council tax premium on homes that are not used as a main residence.

America's leading civil liberties group has launched a free speech lawsuit against restrictions on personalised licence plates after a man was refused a plate promoting his cannabis business. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Dakota said the state "stifled" the free speech of Lyndon

Euan Fleming has joined BTO’s wills, estates and succession planning team in Edinburgh. He brings two decades of experience in the private client sector and an impressive track record of helping a diverse range of clients on matters including asset protection, succession and tax planning.

A Holyrood committee has launched a new call for views on legislation which would give Scottish ministers new powers to assess and remediate buildings in Scotland with unsafe cladding following the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire. The Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Commi

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has appointed Sarah McCormick as a legal counsel, expanding its award-winning legal team to six lawyers and two paralegals. Ms McCormick joins SWA from Brodies LLP and has previously worked for Dentons UK and Middle East LLP.

Professor Peter Watson has been appointed as president of the British Academy of Forensic Sciences (BAFS). Professor Watson takes on the role from Tracy Alexander FKC, director of forensic services for the City of London Police.

The vast majority of court users are satisfied with their experience, according to a new survey. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service's (SCTS) Court User Satisfaction Survey measures customer satisfaction in the Supreme Courts, Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Courts and Scottish Land Court.

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) will explore Scotland’s path to achieving its renewables targets at its annual conference this week. WJM’s seminar will this year focus on the theme ‘Reaching the targets – 2030’.

Four men have been charged in connection with the theft of a solid gold toilet worth £5 million more than four years ago. The fully-functioning 18-carat toilet, named America, was stolen from Blenheim Palace in England days after it was installed as an art piece.

Arbroath FC Community Trust has launched its annual winter clothing collection campaign with the aim of helping even more people across the region. The Cosy Coats initiative sees Arbroath Football Club Community Trust, supported by Thorntons, collect donations of unwanted and unused coats, jackets,

Prison governors have written to MSPs over "significant concerns" about the rising number of inmates in Scotland. Natalie Beal, chair of the Prison Governors’ Association Scotland (PGAS), said staff were under "significant strain" and called for "urgent mitigation".

UNESCO has unveiled an action plan amid a warning that the intensification of disinformation and hate speech online constitutes "a major threat to stability and social cohesion". Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, said: “Digital technology has enabled immense progress on freedom of sp

UK animal law charity The Animal Law Foundation has sent a legal letter demanding that the Scottish government implement official guidance to protect farmed fish. The initiative aims to address a gap in current protections for farmed fish, including salmon, which are not adequately protected within

At the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Judge Young imposed a £400 fine on Ian Higgins. Mr Higgins had pled guilty to a contempt of court by refusing to perform the duties required of a juror. The sentencing statement is reproduced below. Contempt of court includes conduct that denotes wilful