Features

The centenary this year of the first Labour government will doubtless see the publication of a number of new books analysing a game-changing event. Robert Shiels reviews one of the first, by Scottish journalist David Torrance. In 1923 the immediate consequences of an inconclusive general election su

Even within the legal profession, to be elected to sit as judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is "beyond a dream", says Tim Eicke. Having taken up the post in 2016, he is currently the UK judge at the court.

Former sheriff Kevin Drummond KC expands on his solution to the problem of dealing with the Horizon cases.  I am pleased that my letter in SLN has produced an informed response by Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC, by Lord Uist and by Fergus Ewing MSP amongst others. Of necessity and for economy, m

Will Cole considers some recent developments in ADR north and south of the border from a Scottish perspective, including the Court of Appeal’s recent decision in Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil, and the implications for commercial litigation in Scotland. Since the turn of the century, the courts in

Fiona Killen asks whether the Sewel convention is fit for purpose following years of constitutional rancour between Holyrood and Westminster. The Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee (CEEACC) of the Scottish Parliament was busy last year, producing seven reports, one focusing

Connor Beaton delivers his verdict on French legal drama Anatomy of a Fall.

At the risk of sounding like a broken podcast, delays in getting fatal accident inquiries started are to me, a disgrace. As we know, some FAIs are mandatory; some are at the option of the Crown, but that distinction is irrelevant; there are delays in both categories. I am not alone in my concern. Th

I recently had the privilege of joining a webinar hosted by RoadPeace. RoadPeace provide information and support services to people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes, writes Thomas Mitchell. The webinar’s panel consisted of Prof Sally Kyd, Head of Leicester Law School – an ex

Gillian Mawdsley writes about the Kindertransport ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day tomorrow. As another Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) approaches, the recent release of the film One Life allows for reflection on how child refugees were able to escape Nazi persecution. This resonates with this year

Robert Shiels commends a new biography of the comic genius who fell victim to the USA's post-war red scare. This attractively produced book, with many photographs, is a social, political and cultural history of a crucial period in the life of an influential 20th century figure, an original and indep

Vaunted legislation incorporating UNCRC into Scots law falls short of expectations, writes Professor Elaine E Sutherland. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 is something of a disappointment in the light of the ambitious plans that preceded it

Claire Campbell explains why legislation is needed to address the scourge of mould in rented properties. In December 2022, I wrote about the sad death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale in December 2020 as a result of his exposure to damp and mould in his family’s rented property, and str

Alison Webb and Megan Lafferty provide an update on group litigation in Scotland. We are now seeing a growing and quickly developing trend towards group litigation across the UK and globally. The Post Office scandal is one such example, receiving renewed attention over the past month in the wake of

Former judge Lord Uist calls on politicians to respect the separation of powers in dealing with the victims of the Horizon scandal.

Former sheriff Douglas Cusine commends a new practical guide to running a Sheriff Court proof. The final sentence of this very useful book is this: “Running a proof can be enjoyable, but you will find it more so if you have prepared it well, you are properly funded, and you are as well organis