Features

The recently decided – and widely reported – case of Sean Hogg has had so many twists and turns that it is not altogether easy to unravel what happened or what (if any) implications it has for future prosecutions. This led – when emotions were clearly running high – to the ma

Reports suggest that First Minister Humza Yousaf wants to change the law so that the only short prison sentences imposed will be on violent or sexual offenders, writes Douglas J. Cusine. Were the first minister actually visit a sheriff court (perhaps even more than once), he might realise the u

As global temperatures rise and the effects of climate change become more pronounced, countries around the world are witnessing a surge in climate-related litigation. Scottish Legal News delves into this growing trend, exploring key cases and shifts in global attitudes. The journey of international

Jim Diamond discusses a recent Supreme Court case on litigation funding. Although in this article reference is made to the UK, it is not intended to cover Scotland, which has its own rules about funding agreements. The decision of the court does not affect agreements made under Scots law or funding

The UK government has made several serious commitments towards the country’s quest for energy independence. In addition to issuing hundreds of new North Sea oil and gas licences this past summer and more to come this autumn, the country also continues its renewables strategy, albeit acknowledg

In recent years, there has been an increase in discussion and awareness of the impact of the menopause in the workplace, writes Katie Hendry. Last year, the charity Wellbeing of Women launched the ‘Menopause Pledge Workplace Campaign’. The pledge indicates the employers&rs

Change isn’t an option anymore; it’s mandatory. This dictum, of course, has had multiple iterations in all areas of business since any wistful idea that more of the same will suffice was atomised by a climate emergency, a global pandemic, a war in Europe and a series of economic debacles

The Scottish Civil Justice Committee’s current draft set of court rules is remarkable in a number of respects, writes Andrew Stevenson. Firstly, it is brief, a mere 80 rules covering just under 30 pages and a laudable exception to the regrettable tendency of legislation to swell to unwieldy di

Twelve nautical miles are causing waves for the offshore wind sector which is struggling to recruit staff because complicated visa restrictions are deterring highly skilled foreign workers, writes Maria Gravelle. That’s the distance from the shoreline to the Territorial Sea boundary, wher

The issue of holiday pay is one that has been subject to extensive examination by the courts over the last decade. The latest chapter is now written. The Supreme Court has handed down its decision in the case of Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) v Agnew, writes Andrew Maxwell. The key issue

Public execution of a person on judicial warrant after a capital charge had been proved against them at trial was always a deeply moving event. It was notably in the earlier periods of time a remarkably violent episode.

It is rare that family cases are heard by the Inner House, but in August 2023, Lord Tyre, Lord Pentland and Lady Wise heard the appeal in the case of Foster v Foster, writes Kate Bradbury. On Friday 29 September 2023, the Inner House issued its decision, providing clarity on two points:

Gillian Mawdsley, author of the recently released Sudden Deaths and Fatal Accidents Inquiries in Scotland: Law, Policy and Practice, looks at the differences between FAIs and inquiries. Bloomsbury Professional is offering SLN readers a special 25 per cent discount on the new book. Order today f

The prisoner’s tale started in 2008 when Stephen Jackley, at some point a university student, was arrested in the United States, after being caught in Vermont using fake identification to buy a firearm. Regrettably, the reader is not favoured with much explanation of that activity. After a yea

Cheryl Hogg details new wildlife crimes under consideration at Holyrood.   The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill is currently at Stage 1 in the Scottish Parliament. This means it has been introduced to the Parliament and is now being examined by committees before the MSPs de