Dear Editor, In relation to the recent spate of Douglas J. Cusine articles, I am troubled by this foray into the blatantly political for an article featured in Scottish Legal News. Quite clearly the lines can blur between political and legal, especially when it comes to our legislature. Nonetheless,
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The role of Lord Advocate should be split so that his political and prosecutorial functions are entirely separate, the vast majority of respondents to a Scottish Legal News survey have said.
This week marks the 20th anniversary of the founding of our sister publication Scottish Housing News. From a handful of subscribers in 2001, it has grown to become an essential part of the working day for Scotland’s dynamic social housing sector, sharing uplifting stories of best practic
Early adopters of sustainable practices, including retrofit programmes, may be better placed to reap future benefits, writes Sheelagh Cooley. In the year that Glasgow hosts the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), UK law firm Shoosmiths joined over 120 other UK businesses committing to
Legal aid fees have increased by five per cent across the board from today, the biggest increase in more than a decade – but the Law Society of Scotland has warned that more must be done to address a "generation of underfunding". The Scottish government unveiled its revised legal aid package i
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been cleared of breaching the ministerial code following an independent inquiry by James Hamilton, an Irish barrister and former director of public prosecutions. Mr Hamilton, the Scottish government's independent adviser on the ministerial code since 2013, began an
Retired sheriff Kevin Drummond QC shares concerns arising from the redaction dispute that dominated the final days of the Holyrood committee on the handling of harassment complaints. As a lawyer I care not a whit what political conclusions our Parliament and its Committee of Inquiry reach, or have r
Baktosch Gillan interviews the current Lord Lyon, Dr Joe Morrow, about the role of his ancient office in 21st century Scotland. After a career at the forefront of the development of mental health law and practice in Scotland, Dr Joseph Morrow CBE, QC, LLD, is now on a mission to preserve Scotland&rs
Two lawyers have developed a hijab for Muslim advocates who struggle to find the right legal attire to wear in court. Karlia Lykourgou and Maryam Mir, barristers at Doughty Street Chambers, have developed a hijab for Muslim advocates who struggle to find the right legal attire to wear in court.
It has been announced that there is to be a consultation on the retention/abolition of the 'not proven' verdict. Some of those proposing its removal have prayed in support of their approach a statement by Sir Walter Scott that the verdict is a “bastard verdict”. Others have said that ret
Lord Woolman relates a case that deserves to be better known. Vote for your top three Session Cases here. Is any case more colourful than Steuart v Robertson (1875) 2R (HL) 80? It involves gallantry, dissipation, a disputed marriage, entailed estates, and a lengthy lawsuit.
Alastair K Shepherd reflects on the traineeship he began in 1981 as he retires this month, having spent four decades in the law. I am retiring from private practice with Coulters Legal LLP on 30 April 2021, forty years after I started my legal career as one of the first batch of trainees. We had bee
Advocate Tony Lenehan responds to yesterday's piece from academics on the 'not proven' debate. My article wasn’t intended to irk the professor and his academic colleagues. When he admits that the Scottish Jury Research evidence base isn’t perfect, in the largest part that is because Prof
Scullion LAW has launched its annual free will writing service in support of end of life charity, Marie Curie. Throughout the partnership, which has already seen 1,000 people leave a gift to the charity as a result of the free will writing scheme, almost £250,000 pledges have been made since 2
New law firm Esson & Aberdein has taken on two new recruits. Paralegal Shari O’Hare and Lynn Nesbitt, a qualified surveyor and estate agency specialist, have joined the firm.