Search: David J Black

Magna Carta provides justification for restricting jury trials to only the most serious offences, a cabinet minister has claimed, prompting accusations that Labour is “selectively quoting” the charter to defend sweeping proposed reforms. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime min

When Fiona Pask took on the head of Scotland role at Shakespeare Martineau earlier this year it looked like the firm was finally going to be able to pursue the kind of growth it had planned since launching in Edinburgh in 2020. The Scottish government’s long-awaited Regulation of Legal Service

A Highland physics teacher exploited a position of trust to engage in sexual activity with a female pupil. David Vincent’s criminal behaviour took place over the course of 18 months after meeting the child at the high school where he worked.

Thomas Ross KC examines the collapse of the Bayoh inquiry. The resignation of Lord Bracadale from his position as chair of the Sheku Bayoh inquiry after 122 days of evidence – followed by the mass resignation of all the counsel to the inquiry three days later – no doubt led the public to

Balfour and Manson has strengthened its family law and personal injury teams with the promotions of Katie Albiston, Iona Campbell, Emily Deans and Alannah Jones to associate. In Aberdeen, Ms Albiston has become an associate in the family law team while Ms Campbell has been promoted to associate in p

Jack Boyle takes a look at the thorny issue of Employment Tribunal fees. Employment Tribunals date back to 1964, when they were known as Industrial Tribunals. The system has always been one which is “free” to access, in the sense that (unlike other legal jurisdictions, such as courts) th

Compass Chambers has been recognised as a leading set by Chambers UK in the latest edition of the directory which was published today.  Compass has received 57 individual rankings in seven practice area categories. Compass is also ranked Band 1 as a set in five categories – Personal Injur

The Court of Appeal of England and Wales has allowed an appeal against a decision that a company that contracted for the purchase of millions of face masks during the Covid-19 pandemic was due to pay $16 million to the seller after finding that the High Court judge had decided the case on grounds no

Arnot Manderson Advocates have again received high praise from the Legal 500 upon the release of their latest bar rankings. Members were once again ranked across all seven practice areas, further solidifying its reputation as a leading full-service stable. Leading the way is experienced and respecte

In almost 15 years at the helm of Lindsays, Alasdair Cummings has overseen impressive growth. Six mergers have made it a firm of four cities, with turnover tripling to almost £30m. The statistics are strong. Amongst them, though, is one of which he is particularly proud. “On October 1, w

A sheriff has issued an eviction warrant against members of a self-styled “African tribe” who have been camping on private land near Jedburgh. At Jedburgh Sheriff Court on Friday, Sheriff Peter Paterson granted the order against the so-called Kingdom of Kubala, saying it would take effec

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) has welcomed its largest ever cohort of trainees across its offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh, as well as five newly qualified solicitors. Among the firm’s newest five solicitors are Mairi Adams, who joins the private client team in Edinburgh, Robyn Bl

Austen commemoration on the wall of Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey, London Credit: JRennocks, CC BY-SA 4.0

Police have launched legal proceedings against the Sheku Bayoh inquiry in a dispute over the impartiality of its chair, Lord Bracadale. The Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank-and-file officers, has sought a judicial review of Lord Bracadale’s role, claiming private meeting

An appeal against a judge’s decision to repel an objection to evidence in a murder trial including a computer simulated model of the accused’s account of the event based on the principle of biomechanics has been allowed by the High Court of Justiciary. Appellant Dionne Christie was indic