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A human rights lawyer who had been jailed for abusing Air India cabin crew after she was refused alcohol is believed to have killed herself days after being released from prison. Barrister Simone Burns, 50, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment in April after racially abusing and spitting at ste
2 minutes
Crofting law can sometimes seem like an existential exercise, wondering how to make sense of a confusing set of rules in an uncertain world. It is not possible to discuss crofting without reference to the law, and as this book by Brian Inkster shows, there is a considerable body of legislation which
3 minutes
MSPs have said they should be given a formal role in ensuring the new Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB) follows its long-term mission. The recommendation was made in a unanimous cross-party report on the law enabling the new public sector lender, from Holyrood’s Economy Committee.
3 minutes
At Glasgow Sheriff Court yesterday solicitors Rona Macleod and Alastair Houston from the Legal Services Agency and advocate Adrian Stalker represented five asylum seeking clients who had received eviction notices from housing provider, Serco, and who were at risk of having their locks being changed.
2 minutes
An independent investigation has found that police were justified in using a Taser device on a 20-year-old man who they feared may harm himself. Officers went to a house in Bannockburn at around midnight on Saturday 30 March 2019, following reports that a man was in possession of a knife. Based on t
3 minutes
A senior Scottish police officer has called for an overhaul of the UK's drugs regime. Steve Johnson, an assistant chief constable, said the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was a relic “ripe for reform” as he backed the use of safe injecting rooms, The Times reports.
1 minute
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) has reported on its latest audit of the Faculty of Advocates conduct complaints handling processes. The report made six recommendations. SLCC oversight manager Alison Marron said: “This latest audit has demonstrated the benefit of the SLCC&
1 minute
Two new judicial members, Lady Carmichael and Sheriff George Way, have been appointed to the Scottish Civil Justice Council. Their appointments follow a membership review, which was carried out after the tenure period for judicial members expired in May 2019.
4 minutes
A Jewish housing association that fended off a discrimination challenge earlier this year has prevailed again after the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's judgment. Agudas Israel Housing Association (AIHA), which provides accommodation exclusively for Jewish Orthodox families, defeated an
1 minute
The Supreme Court of Canada celebrated the country's national day with free tours, led by the court's mascot, Amicus. One fan tweeted: "We have an owlbear as mascot!! So proud!" The friend of the court is pictured above, flanked by his tour guides.
3 minutes
An employment lawyer has highlighted good mental health practice in the workplace. Chris Phillips, partner at Thorntons, suggests poor mental health can cost businesses in a variety of ways but can be avoided through greater awareness, better training and effective workplace practice.
2 minutes
Scotland has made considerable progress in improving the outlook for child and vulnerable witnesses giving evidence in our courts, leading judge Lord Matthews told a conference of legal practitioners from around the world in Nottingham last week. Lord Matthews was a keynote speaker at the third Inte
2 minutes
Lawyers gathered in Edinburgh yesterday to celebrate the 500th edition of one of Scotland's most important legal publications. The newly refurbished Old College was a fitting venue in which to take stock of the Scottish Legal Action Group's history and to look ahead to its future as a modern online
1 minute
On BBC Radio 4's Law in Action this week, Joshua Rozenberg looks at the topic of rape myths and juries. Do jurors believe in rape myths? A coalition campaigning to end violence against women said a third of people questioned in an opinion poll thought that sex without consent was
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