When Janys Scott QC was asked to represent 27 church leaders in a case relating to whether the Covid-induced closure of churches was lawful, she jumped at the chance. It was, she says, not only an opportunity to test a novel point of law but to explore questions relating to her own faith as well. &l
Search: Scottish syndicate purchased land 1901 for £5000
A publishing company that was defrauded of over £193,000 as a result of a “whaling” scam has unsuccessfully reclaimed against a decision that its former credit controller was not liable for damages arising from her mistaken payment of the funds to the fraudsters. The pursuers and r
Donoghue v Stevenson has been voted the top Session Case in a poll by the Scottish Council of Law Reporting to mark the bicentenary of the UK's oldest law reports. It was all but a certainty that the case of the snail in the ginger beer whose doctrines have spread across the world would triumph
Lord Ericht reflects on the significance of the cases that topped the Session Cases poll. In July 1930, a full bench of the High Court of Justiciary heard an appeal against conviction in relation to a series of sexual assaults against female employees in a “drapery establishment” at 186
Howard League Scotland has made an urgent appeal for funding. A statement from the organisation reads: "We are a small charity that is fiercely independent of government funding, and we have operated exclusively in Scotland since 1979, but without your help we might not be able to do it for much lon
The civil justice system also has its part to play in tackling the climate emergency, writes John Sturrock QC. CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is at record levels, higher than for 3 million years. According to the former Governor of the Bank of England, and now UN special envoy on climate action
A man who was convicted of a road traffic offence after falling asleep at the wheel of his car and banned from driving for one year has had his appeal against conviction by stated case refused by the Sheriff Appeal Court. Anthony Wilson was disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence
The Tenant Farming Commissioner has issued a new guide covering general statutory compliance on agricultural holdings. Intended as a useful tool to summarise general statutory regulations and how to comply with them, the guide is for tenant farmers, landlords and their agents.
Generations of students have been inducted into the study of law with Professor MacQueen's lectures and writings. One of the most popular figures in legal academia, he is admired by his colleagues and held in great affection by his students. Ahead of his retirement next month he talks to Margaret Ta
One of the UK’s leading energy lawyers, Bob Ruddiman, has joined Burness Paull. Mr Ruddiman will lead and grow the energy team at Burness Paull – combining its renewables and oil & gas practices.In his previous role at Pinsent Masons, where he held a number of senior leadership posit
Priti Patel's Home Office was yesterday accused of insensitivity after an immigration raid was ordered in the First Minister's constituency and phone calls from Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf to the Home Office were ignored.
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
New research from Amnesty International UK and the Human Rights Consortium Scotland (HRCS) found evidence that the human rights of people in Scotland were frequently overlooked as major public service redesigns took place during the ‘first wave’ of Covid-19 in 2020. The findings further
Shoosmiths has made seven appointments across several teams in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Lauren Miller, who joins from Shepherd and Wedderburn, has been appointed as legal director in the Glasgow-based real estate team. She adds further expertise in the residential/housebuilder and commercial developme
Coca Cola’s legal director for Western Europe is to deliver the opening keynote at the Law Society of Scotland’s In-house Annual Conference later this month. Ingrid Cope, Coca Cola’s in-house legal director for Western Europe, will give the opening keynote address on ‘How in-