There have been unacceptable delays in sexual crime cases, HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland has warned. The head of the prosecution watchdog said the backlog of almost 30,000 cases is continuing to grow during the pandemic.
Search: Scots syndicate 1901 bought land in Glasgow for £5000
Legislation to ensure property factors adhere to a consistent standard has been laid before the Scottish Parliament. Property factors are responsible for managing common parts of land or properties, overseeing maintenance and repair work on behalf of homeowners. Those included on the Property F
A programme aimed at tackling justice system backlogs caused by the Covid-19 pandemic will benefit from an extra £50 million in the Scottish government's budget for 2021/22, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf has announced. Mr Yousaf yesterday announced a £104.4 million increase across the j
The Inner House of the Court of Session has refused a reclaiming motion challenging a decision to allow a petition for rectification of a Deed of Conditions relating to a parking garage in Edinburgh to proceed to a proof. Lothian Amusements Ltd, the 57th respondent to the petition raised b
A new judgment paves the way for a potential change in the law that would allow for a good faith purchaser to have their real rights in property modified – without their consent. The Inner House of the Court of Session refused a reclaiming motion challenging a decision to allow a petition for
The Scottish government has withdrawn its planned legislation on short-term lets from Holyrood to allow for draft guidance to be developed. In a letter to the convener of the local government and communities committee, James Dornan, housing minister Kevin Stewart stated his intention to wi
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,
Most drugs are not inherently dangerous when used casually and drug interventions that are punitive and reinforce criminal identity are ineffective, according to a new paper. In a report for the Scottish government that looks at the drugs laws of five countries, it was found that the hierarchy of ha
Scotland’s ability to legislate in areas such as food, health and environmental standards is being undermined in a “systematic attack” on devolution, Constitution Secretary Michael Russell has said. A report published by the Scottish government details the extent to which the Scott
A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. China: Human rights lawyer Wang Yu returns home after ‘banned from contact with outside world | South China Morning Post
The Scottish government is consulting on the detail of plans to pardon miners convicted of certain offences during the 1984-85 strike. An independent review into the impact of policing on communities during the strike, led by John Scott QC, recommended that the Scottish government should introduce l
A virtual conference is to provide a forum for discussion amongst interested parties about how civil business might be conducted once the pandemic is over. The Lord President has asked the Judicial Institute to organise a conference, to be held virtually, to provide a forum for a discussion amongst
Draft legislation to provide for a fresh referendum on Scottish independence has been published by the Scottish government ahead of the May elections. Ministers say it will be up to the government formed after the elections to consider whether to formally introduce its proposed Scottish Independence
The extended presumption against short sentences has led to a decline of custodial sentences of 12 months or less, but its full impact remains unclear due the Covid-19 pandemic. Scotland's chief statistician today published a bulletin on the presumption against short sentences (PASS), which was exte
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