The Scottish government must go much further to cut reoffending after figures showed significantly fewer people on short-term sentences are receiving support after being released from custody, the Scottish Lib Dems have said. Throughcare aims to prevent reoffending by supporting people who have been
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Scotland's abortion laws are "not fit for purpose", an expert group has claimed as it called for legal recognition for a woman's right to choose. As the law stands, an abortion is only legal before 24 weeks after two doctors have agreed that certain grounds have been met – such as a risk to th
The High Court of Justiciary has ruled that a sheriff’s decision to conduct a jury trial entirely in the absence of an accused who refused to attend court and smeared himself with faeces to prevent himself from being transported amounted to a miscarriage of justice as he had been excluded from
The Scottish government has committed to reforming the law to address strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs). A newly published report, which follows a consultation on SLAPPS, confirmed the government’s agreement that "the law should be reformed to address SLAPPs" and that it
Reed Smith has successfully advised the appellants in a shipping case that focused on the 1881 judgment of Mackay v Dick. In King Crude Carriers SA and others v Ridgebury November LLC and others, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned the Court of Appeal’s judgment that the sellers had
A new guide launched at COP30 aims to help policymakers understand the dangers of climate change – and the "solutions that can bring about a safe and sustainable future". The Parliamentarians’ Global Guide to Climate Change and Climate Solutions contains contributions from world-leading
Our weekly round-up of human rights stories from around the world. Israel passes first reading of bill proposing death penalty for people it deems terrorists
In support of international efforts to address the impacts of climate change, the Scottish government has confirmed funding for loss and damage, human rights and adaptation projects, as part of the £36 million Climate Justice Fund. Recognising that "communities in the Global South, who have co
A coffee shop chain in China has been forced to drop its communist-style branding following heavy criticism in state media. The "People's Coffee Shop" deliberately designed its shopfronts to resemble the masthead of the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party.
The Supreme Court is to sit for a week of hearing appeals in Glasgow between 18-21 May 2026.
David J Black wonders whether 'British art' is a term of mere invention. For those who enjoy a challenging book this one hits the mark perfectly. Eloquently written, intellectually rigorous, impeccably researched, the challenge is posed by its scope. The timespan encompasses a period of 65,000 years
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
The Scottish Land Commission has made two senior appointments. Sarah Madden has joined the commission as head of practice and advice and will be responsible for leading the commission’s Good Practice Programme, working with public and private landowners, sector professionals, community groups
A sheriff in the All-Scotland Sheriff Personal Injury Court at Edinburgh has refused a motion for an interim payment of expenses in an action with an agreed final accounting of £30,000 after finding that delays in assessment of tax by the Auditor of Court was not sufficient reason to grant an
