The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will inflict "an era of wanton damage" on rural Scotland unless the Scottish government accepts that key changes should be made to it, according to Scottish Land & Estates (SLE). The rural business organisation said today that the bill as it stands is unworka
Search: Scottish syndicate purchased land 1901 for £5000
Significant change to the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is needed if the Scottish government’s policy objectives for land reform are to be met, according to Holyrood’s Net Zero, Energy & Transport Committee. Although the majority of committee members support the general principles of t
The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) has launched the first phase of an interactive map that shows the number of complaints closed in 2022–23 for each local authority area in Scotland across the sectors it oversees, mapped against measures of deprivation. The map highlights the percen
The slightly weary thought on seeing another new book on Mary Queen of Scots has already been suggested in Scottish Legal News. Deciding whether there are too many books on this particular Queen must depend of course on what the latest author has to say, given the very many others in or out of print
A freedom of information response received by the Scottish Conservatives reveals that that only 10 victims were notified under the Scottish government's Victim Notification Scheme about prisoners being released in recent weeks. It was estimated that up to 390 prisoners could have been released under
The recent announcement by Lord Pentland of the publication of a court reporters’ guide by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service is a welcome recognition that the decline of what is now termed the ‘mainstream media’ has serious implications for the administration of justice and
Derek Couper discusses why it is essential that the recent consultation on non-surgical cosmetic procedures leads to swift and decisive action. With the consultation process by the Scottish government over the need for greater regulation around non-surgical cosmetic procedures having concluded, its
First Minister John Swinney has paid tribute to Christina McKelvie MSP, the Scottish government minister for drugs and alcohol policy, who has passed away. Mr Swinney said she was "one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met".
The financial woes at notable Scottish universities are making headlines. Faced with rising costs, including staff pension provisions and salaries and new immigration rules (responsible in part for reduced income streams), decision makers at the University of Edinburgh and University of Dundee face
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told First Minister John Swinney that the role of the lord advocate should be reformed in the wake of Operation Branchform and the decision not to charge Nicola Sturgeon. Mr Starmer said the Scottish government should abolish the dual role of the lord advocate who is
Dear Editor, The Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill continued to wend its way through the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday with the adoption of the Justice Secretary's amendment 146. The amendment deleted the original proposal to move from 15 to 12 jurors in criminal trials,
New measures have come into force to give Scotland’s tied pub tenants more rights and greater protection. From today, the Scottish Pubs Code will enable tied pub tenants to stock a wider range of beers beyond those supplied through the pub-owning business. Pub-owning businesses will also have
The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has given evidence to Holyrood's Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on its report on progress to end detention of people with learning disabilities and autism. Published in January 2025, the commission's findings indicate that people with
Complainers in rape and attempted rape cases will be able to access free independent legal advice as part of a new Scottish government-funded pilot. Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced the pilot at the Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee during stage two scrutiny of the S
Amendments to the Housing (Scotland) Bill that set out how rents will be capped in rent control areas have been lodged by the Scottish government.