News

A man who was found guilty of raping a family member but claimed that there was “insufficient evidence” that he lacked the “honest belief” that the complainer had consented has lost his appeal. The High Court of Justiciary Appeal Court ruled that the trial judge was “co

Lawyers have expressed concern after new figures showed total expenditure on legal aid fell slightly to £123.7 million in 2018-19, down from £124.4 million in the previous year. John Mulholland, president of the Law Society of Scotland, said the regulatory body "[doesn't] believe the ove

A woman who appealed a decision of the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland on the basis of her claim she did not have a private residential tenancy (PRT) under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016 has had her appeal refused by the Upper Tribunal for Scotland. Kate Affleck 

The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) is based on a sound model of governance but continues to face challenges in fulfilling its core statutory role, a watchdog has found. In a new report, the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) noted there has been genuine progress at the SPA over the

The Lord Advocate, James Wolffe QC, writes on his desire to improve efficiencies in the Fatal Accident Inquiry system. An unexpected death can have a devastating impact on the bereaved, who have to confront not only the grief which follows the loss of a loved one but also questions about why the dea

Edinburgh solicitor Tara Davison writes on recent Sheriff Court proceedings exposing a lacuna in the law. At a recent case in Edinburgh Sheriff Court the pursuer's agent was called in to address the Sheriff at a pre-issue hearing regarding a motion for sanction of the employment of counsel made at t

The role of Christianity in modern life is to be debated in at an event in Edinburgh next month featuring Donald Findlay QC. The Royal College of Surgeons will host 'Christianity in the Public Square?' – three debates which will see experts discuss the relevance of Christianity in today's worl

Terra Firma Chambers has been recognised in the latest edition of the Legal 500 for its strength and expertise across its core practice areas of property, planning, commercial and administrative law. In the new rankings, released today, members of Terra Firma were ranked as leading practitioners for

Barrister Jolyon Maugham QC, who has played a key role in Brexit litigation over the past three years, has revealed that he bought a stab vest following threats against his life. Mr Maugham said he was advised by the elected police and crime commissioner in his area to take measures to protect his o

A bill to support the set-up of the Scottish National Investment Bank passed its first stage yesterday following a debate in the Scottish Parliament. The Scottish Government said the bank’s primary mission will be to secure the transition to a net-zero economy as it works with businesses to id

Student Ambassadors Alexandra Joyce and Emily Lynch are pictured above at Edinburgh University's law fair, where they represented the Scottish Bar Association of New York (ScotBarNY).

Scullion LAW has raised £700 for Alzheimer Scotland.

A great-grandson of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini has said he will take Facebook to court after it suspended his account for violating its “community standards”. Caio Mussolini, 51, a member of the anti-immigration Brothers of Italy party, denied he posted messages that could have br

A woman has been fined for trespass after she bit the testicles of an irate camel which sat on her when she entered its compound. The unfortunate incident unfolded after Gloria Fraley Lancaster lost control of her dog and chased it into the camel's enclosure.

A man accused of breaching an order disqualifying him from acting as a company director who claimed that criminal proceedings raised against him were “time-barred” has had a legal challenge against his prosecution dismissed. The Sheriff Appeal Court refused an appeal by Stephen