Justices in the Supreme Court have unanimously supported the biological definition of "woman" in the Equality Act. The court sided with campaign group For Women Scotland, which had brought a case against the Scottish government on the basis that sex-based protections should apply only to people born
Appointments
See all articlesLaw Society of Scotland executive director Kevin Lang has been appointed as its interim chief executive. Currently executive director of external relations at the Law Society, he will take up the interim post when Diane McGiffen steps down from Monday, 28 April.
Harper Macleod has announced the appointment of two new partners to its family law team. Jane Blackwood and Linda Walker bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their new positions within the firm. They both have accreditations from the Law Society of Scotland in family law and family mediatio
Stronachs has recognised the growth and contribution of team members across several departments in its latest round of promotions. Partner Robert McDiarmid said: “This has been a strong year for the firm, and that’s down to the continued hard work and commitment of our people.
Davidson Chalmers Stewart has announced four promotions in the firm's Edinburgh and Glasgow offices.
Anderson Strathern has strengthened its senior team with the appointment of one new partner and a new director in the commercial real estate team. Edward Gratwick returns to Anderson Strathern, joining the dispute resolution team as a partner. He has more than 17 years of experience litigating in pr
Thompsons Solicitors Scotland has welcomed its latest intake of trainee solicitors. Starting in early June, 20 recent law graduates will begin their legal careers with the firm. Sixteen will be based at the new office in Glasgow, with the remaining four joining the team in its Edinburgh office.
Legal Aid
See all articlesFamily members involved in deaths in custody fatal accident inquiries (FAI) are to have immediate, free access to legal aid support and advice. Justice Secretary Angela Constance confirmed that she is using existing ministerial powers to remove means-testing for legal aid in such cases, so that from
Defence solicitors are to boycott the Scottish government’s new Summary Case Management scheme in protest over legal aid fees. In the face of the Scottish government’s continued refusal to engage in meaningful talks with the profession, the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association (SSBA) "has
Holyrood’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee has today launched a new call for views into civil legal assistance, covering civil legal aid and advice and assistance for civil issues, and grant funding for advice organisations. The call for views is part of a new inquiry whic
Lawyers have threatened to boycott the Scottish government's new swifter justice scheme unless legal aid fees are increased. Members of the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association (SSBA) will not take part in summary cases heard as part of the new Summary Case Management (SCM) initiative.
Reforms to legal aid have been set out to make the system simpler and easier for both solicitors and those who need legal assistance – along with longer-term proposals for funding and improving the delivery of services. Actions set out in a discussion paper aim to simplify the funding system a
Universities
See all articlesThe University of Glasgow’s GO Justice Centre is a key partner in a new research centre led by the University of Liverpool. The Centre for People’s Justice (CPJ) is a coalition of 45 organisations from community, business, philanthropic, cultural, artistic, charitable, legal, government
On 28 March University of Strathclyde Mediation Clinic held its 5th Annual Conference, “Growing mediation, your practice and beyond.” The online event was a great success, attracting over 70 delegates from across the UK and overseas. It featured an array of leaders in the field of mediat
Professor Abbe Brown is among the new fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) recognised as outstanding individuals whose contributions are shaping society in Scotland and beyond. The professor of intellectual property law at the University of Aberdeen is among the 2025 cohort celebrating le
Protestors charged with non-violent offences should be able to explain their motives in court as part of their legal defence, new research argues. A new study from the University of Birmingham, Aston University and Keele University has argued that trials should "respect the integrity of publicly acc
Aberdeen University's Main Faculty Moot Final will be held on Wednesday. The event promises an evening of intellectual engagement and networking opportunities, featuring judges Sheila Webster, Andrew Webster KC and Frank Fowlie.
And Finally
See all articlesPolice who pulled over a car going more than 100mph discovered the passenger was a bride late for her own wedding. Body cam footage released by police in Port St. Lucie, Florida shows the short conversation which followed the police pulling over the car, which was well over the 45mph speed limit.
A museum is set to display a newly-discovered book bound in the skin of one of England's most infamous murderers. Two books are now understood to have been made from the skin of William Corder, executed for the 1827 murder of Maria Marten, the BBC reports.
A judge has excoriated a police official who confused her with a defendant and tried to arrest her. Magistrate Nagma Khan, a senior judge in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, demanded an investigation after the mix-up came to light in court, Indian legal publication Bar and Bench reports.
A pet shop owner has condemned a couple caught on CCTV stealing birds by shoving them down their trousers. The couple entered Paradise Pets in Swindon last week and allegedly stole four canary birds.
An American tourist who brought a knife to a British beach avoided prosecution after police chalked it up to cultural differences. Police in Kent were called to the beach in Herne Bay after the man was spotted sunbathing with a steak knife.