Search: Peter Watson

Scottish Legal News is sad to report on the sudden death of popular and much respected advocate Niall McCluskey at the age of 53. Mr McCluskey obtained his LLB and diploma from the University of Aberdeen and called to the bar in 1995, having been in private practice as a solicitor and a procurator f

British Sign Language (BSL) will gain legal recognition after a bill received an unopposed third reading in the House of Lords yesterday. The British Sign Language Bill will give BSL legal recognition in England, Wales and Scotland and will impose on the government a duty to issue new guidance and p

A new guide to legal rights authored by an associate at Gillespie Macandrew has been published.

Legal mental health charity LawCare has now helped more than 10,000 legal professionals and support staff. In 2021, LawCare, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, provided support to 667 people via 662 phone calls, 119 emails and 50 online chats. It provided ongoing peer support to 64 peo

Controversial UK government plans to restrict noisy and disruptive protests in England and Wales have suffered a setback following a series of government defeats in the House of Lords. An alliance of Labour, Liberal Democrat and independent peers voted to remove provisions of the Police, Crime, Sent

The Edinburgh Academy has taken first prize in the Mock Court Project's seniors competition, fighting off schools from home and abroad.

Lord Hope of Craighead has recalled how, when sitting in a murder case, he realised police had arrested the wrong individual, "who was then accused and convicted". The crossbench peer was speaking in the Lords in support of amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which contains

A life-saving nasal inhaler that can reverse the effects of an opiod overdose is being given to men leaving jail. Prisoners at Barlinnie are being given the device and training on how to use it before being released as this is a time when people are vulnerable to overdosing.

As offices around the country begin to reopen, employers must listen to the concerns of staff, writes Keith Anderson. The responsibility to create a safe environment within the office rests with those who lead the business, and it is incumbent upon them to listen to the concerns of their staff.

Boiling lobsters alive will become a crime under new UK government plans which will recognise crustaceans and molluscs as sentient beings with the ability to feel pain. Ministers are expected to back a proposed amendment to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, extending its protections for vertebrat

Lord Hope of Craighead has expressed concern that a bill to recognise overseas qualifications could affect Scots lawyers – without their input. The Professional Qualifications Bill, currently at committee stage, would treat individuals seeking to practise particular professions in the UK "as i

Half of practising lawyers are experiencing depression and anxiety, according to a study by the California Lawyers Association (CLA) and the D.C. Bar. The findings come from a research project into the personal and workplace risk factors for mental health problems, substance use, and attrition among

A barrister whose application to become Queen's Counsel was opposed by two judges faced apparent bias in the appointments process, an investigation has concluded. Marc Beaumont unsuccessfully applied to the Queen's Counsel appointments panel in 2016 and again in 2018.

In the past few months, it might appear, at least to some, that making money in markets is easy – just buy Tesla or Bitcoin and you are sure to double your money! That is to confuse gambling with investing, and these are certainly not recommendations by the way, writes Wealthflow's Duncan

Macdonald Henderson has been named among The Times Best Law Firms for 2021.  The MH team is one of only eight Scottish firms to be featured for its work in mergers and acquisitions, alongside global/UK regional giants and large Scottish heavyweights.