Search: Peter Watson

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Legal mental health charity LawCare has extended its online chat service for legal professionals from one to four days a week from today. The charity, which offers free, confidential, emotional support to anyone working in the law, has been operating a helpline and peer support programme since 1997

Lawyers have expressed their admiration for Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT QC, who is due to retire next month after celebrating his 95th birthday, Joshua Rozenberg reports. Crossbench peer, David Anderson, Lord Anderson of Ipswich KBE QC, tweeted: "To the very end Lord Mackay remains a magisterial pre

British peers have kicked up a fuss about the quality of the heavily subsidised food and drink available in the House of Lords. In letters and emails sent to parliamentary authorities and published by openDemocracy, members of the unelected chamber moaned about the quantity of salmon and quality of

The School Mock Court Case Project is now looking for volunteer legal tutors for its Juniors Mock Court programme. The project is a Scottish charity that runs educational extracurricular activities for children and young people. The aim of the charity is to advance the education and aspirations of y

Legal mental health charity LawCare is asking the legal community to tell ten friends or colleagues about their support service on World Mental Health Day next Monday. The charity, which offers free, confidential, emotional support to anyone working in the law including support staff and law student