A sheriff conducting an inquiry into the death of a self-employed gardener who died after being struck by falling timber has concluded that his death could have been avoided if the drop zone into which timber was expected to fall had been more clearly identified and there was a clear means of commun
Appointments
See all articlesAnderson Strathern has announced the appointment of Carole Tomlinson as its new chair as the firm celebrates its 325th year in business in Scotland. Ms Tomlinson will take up the role from 1 April, succeeding Fraser Geddes following the end of his three-year term. She is a dual-qualified solicitor i
Watermans has welcomed Kirsty Millar as property sales manager. Ms Millar will oversee the firm’s property marketing and sales strategies. She said: “I’m feeling positive about this role. It’s a great opportunity to lead the team, streamline processes and drive the estate age
The British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL) has appointed Sonya Sceats as its next director and chief executive officer. Currently chief executive of the charity Freedom from Torture, Ms Sceats will join the institute in April.
Holmes Mackillop Solicitors has announced a quartet of promotions from solicitor to senior solicitor. The four promotees are: Grant Cairnduff, Hannah McKay, Mark Joseph and Rachel Loose.
Lord Arthurson, Lord Mulholland and Lord Braid have been appointed to the Inner House of the Court of Session. Lord Arthurson has been appointed to the First Division with effect from 1 February 2026. Lord Mulholland and Lord Braid have been appointed to the Second Division with effect from 1 F
Inksters Solicitors is now offering immigration and asylum law advice to clients with Paulo de Moura joining the firm as a consultant solicitor in its Glasgow office. Mr de Moura’s practice covers personal immigration matters such as naturalisation, family visas and settlement; asylum work inc
Universities
See all articlesThe Aberdeen Law Project (ALP) has obtained a four-figure settlement for a client following their landlord’s failure to meet the statutory repairing standard, as well as the wrongful termination of their client’s former tenancy. Prior to ALP’s engagement in the matter, the client w
University of Aberdeen law students David Thomson, Alessia Cucchi, Daisy Lockhart and Wyon Sandells have shared their experience representing the university at the UK Student Mediation Competition, hosted by Queen’s University Belfast’s Institute of Professional Legal Practice.
Dr Eddy Wifa and Dr Mitchell Lennan have both been appointed as co-directors of the Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law (AUCEL). Dr Wifa is a senior lecturer (energy law) at the School of Law, which he joined in 2020 following the completion of his PhD in Marine Renewable Energy Health a
The Aberdeen Law Project (ALP) has obtained a four-figure settlement for a client over faulty roof repairs. Prior to ALP’s engagement in the matter, the client’s roof had been damaged and encroached upon by works commissioned by a third-party. Lead adviser Robert Johnson and the team at
Lady Dorrian is to be awarded an honorary degree by the University of St Andrews at the university's winter graduation tomorrow. The Class of 2025 students will celebrate gaining both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, with graduands from 81 countries including Namibia, the Netherlands, Ne
Legal Aid
See all articlesSolicitors who provide legal aid will receive a 13 per cent increase in fees from September this year. The fees hike is part of a wider package of support including also funding for up to 40 legal aid traineeship places and digital support to help firms purchase devices to assist trainees in their w
The Law Society of Scotland is seeking urgent clarification from the Scottish government on why legal aid has again been ignored in the final budget before this year’s Holyrood election. Finance Secretary Shona Robinson announced the 2026-27 budget in the Scottish Parliament on 13 January 2026
The Scottish government is pausing it’s proposed changes to legal aid for adults with legal incapacity (AWI) cases, following an intervention by Govan Law Centre. Last month, GLC wrote to the Holyrood's Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee to recommend rejection of a draft Scottish statut
The Law Society of Scotland has warned that proposed changes to legal aid fees for cases related to adults with incapacity (AWI) would further exacerbate the shortage of solicitors for such work. The warning is contained in a submission by the Law Society on potential changes to legal aid regulation
Laura Simpson and Christine McKellar of Govan Law Centre raise the alarm over proposed changes to legal aid for adults with incapacity in Scotland. It is no secret that Scotland’s legal aid system is in urgent need of reform. With the increase in legal aid deserts caused by an ever-diminishing
And Finally
See all articlesOnlyFans is facing a class action lawsuit led by a disgruntled customer who accuses the adult content platform of misleading with the words "full access". The complaint filed with a California court alleges that the platform pulls a "bait-and-switch" on customers by promising "full access" if they s
An act of cultural vandalism in Derbyshire prompted outrage amongst locals.
A sheriff has threatened to fine or even jail people who appear before him wearing shorts. Sheriff Christopher Shead took an accused to task at Falkirk Sheriff Court after he showed up at a sentencing hearing wearing grey cargo shorts, STV News reports.
A school has been ordered to reinstate a teacher fired for reading a book about butts to his pupils. Mississippi teacher Toby Price was sacked in 2022 after choosing I Need A New Butt! by New Zealand author Dawn McMillan for Read Across America Day.
A late judge's fine sense of humour has been warmly recalled in a letter to The Times. Mr Justice John Blofeld, a judge of the English High Court, passed away in November 2025 at the age of 93.









