More News

• SI requiring solicitors to tell clients of possibility of QC and advocate representation comes into force next week
  A new statutory instrument mandating that solicitors must ensure their clients know they can be represented by an advocate or QC, rather than just a solicitor advocate, comes into force on Monday 3 October. Section 2(2)(2)(a) of Act of Adjournal (Criminal Procedure
• Summer recess abolished under major change in Court of Session timetable
  A major change to the timetable of the Court of Session, allowing it to sit throughout the year, has been announced by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS). Under a Direction issued by the Lord President, Lord Carloway, the traditional three court terms of
• Recorded crime at a 42 year low
  Recorded crime in Scotland is at its lowest level since 1974 according to figures released today. In total, 246,243 crimes were recorded in 2015-16, compared to 256,350 in the previous year. Crimes of dishonesty including theft, housebreaking and shoplifting fell from
• Police Scotland head suggests re-empowering regional commanders
  The head of Police Scotland has said he wants to re-empower regional commanders in a move that will curb centralisation. Phil Gormley conceded that some good practices of local forces had been “lost in transition” but added he would “release the thinking” of
• Scottish input in IBA Report on Children and Access to Justice
  The International Bar Association’s access to justice and legal committee, working with the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, has launched a draft report titled “Children and Access to Justice: National Practices, International Challenges.” The report was
• ICC hands down nine-year sentence in Timbuktu monument destruction case
  A man has been jailed for nine years by the International Criminal Court in its first sentence based on cultural destruction as a war crime. Islamist Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi made history by pleading guilty to charges of destroying 14 of the 16 mausoleums in the ancient
• On this day – 1999: The Fascinating Story Of Jeanette Smith And Graeme Grady
  Katie Jukes discusses the Strasbourg ruling that allowed gay people to serve in the armed forces. On this day only 17 years ago, the European Court of Human Rights decided this famous case that meant that gay people can now serve in the armed forces. Why did Jeanette
• Gormley: police must still be allowed to search young people for alcohol
  Police officers must still be allowed to search young people for alcohol once a new code of practice is introduced, the single force’s Chief Constable has said. Phil Gormley’s comments come as the Scottish government consults on the extent of Police Scotland’s