Coronavirus

The Scottish Covid-19 inquiry has today begun hearing evidence from individuals and groups adversely impacted by Scotland's pandemic response. The health and social care impact hearings mark the beginning of the statutory inquiry chaired by Lord Brailsford, which is investigating the devolved Scotti

Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, in consultation with the chief medical officer, Police Scotland and National Records Scotland, has issued updated guidance on the reporting of Covid-19 related deaths. Having kept matters under regular review, it is no longer necessary to report to the procurator fisca

The Scottish Human Rights Commission has welcomed the appointment of Lord Brailsford as chair of the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry. It also said it was pleased the terms of reference for the inquiry will be changed to ensure it takes a human rights based approach, as announced by Deputy First Minister J

Four lawyers have stepped down from the Scottish Covid inquiry. The departures follow that of Lady Poole, the inquiry chair, who announced she was leaving the inquiry on Monday.

Lady Poole is to resign as chair of the independent Scottish Covid-19 public inquiry. Deputy First Minister John Swinney confirmed in a letter to MSPs that Lady Poole gave notice on Friday that she intends to step down from the role for personal reasons.

The Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry has now launched its application process for those who wish to be core participants in the Inquiry. Unlike the UK Inquiry which is asking for applications on a module-by-module basis, the Chair is asking for all applications at the outset of the Inquiry. Applications mu

More than a quarter of fixed penalty notice issued for lockdown rules breaches were given to people in deprived areas, according to a new report. Such people were 2.6 times more likely to be given a fine that those living in the least deprived areas, figures analysed by Dr Susan McKie at the Univers

Scotland’s Covid inquiry chair has said she will not “shy away” from making adverse findings. In a video on the inquiry website, Lady Poole, who was appointed last December, said she would carry out a “fair, open and thorough investigation”.

Legislation proposing the permanent adoption or temporary extension of some measures enacted during the pandemic to support Scotland’s recovery from Covid has passed its first stage. MSPs voted to support the general principles of the Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) (Scotland) Bill, which pr

Families who lost loved ones to Covid are considering action “against those responsible for the preventable deaths”. The news follows a ruling of the High Court in London that the UK government’s failure to isolate people released from hospitals to care homes without testing early

Holyrood's criminal justice committee has warned against setting in stone a presumption in favour of remote legal hearings. The committee has set out its views on the proposed extension of temporary changes to the justice system in the Scottish government’s Coronavirus (Recovery and Reform) Bi

The cross-party Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee has revealed “concerns” about Parliament’s lack of ability to scrutinise and amend emergency provisions in the Coronavirus Act over the last two years. In a new analysis published today, the committee critic

An emerging international agreement to waive certain intellectual property rights in relation to Covid-19 vaccines has been criticised by civil society groups as a "half-measure". India and South Africa have led calls since October 2020 for certain parts of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of

Legal requirements to wear face coverings on public transport and most indoor public settings will continue until at least early April given the current spike in Covid case numbers, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said. Remaining legal requirements for businesses and service providers to collect

The Crown Office has been urged to consider a prosecution over the deaths of 11 people at a care home on Skye. Home Farm in Portree suffered a Covid outbreak early on in the pandemic. A number of residents died at the home, which was operated by HC One. It was later taken over by NHS Highland.