Features

An assassination is pre-eminently a political murder; a killing, in itself a crime, has been sanctioned by someone with an interest in the outcome and carried out on their behalf. The traditional British political response to an assassination was to narrow the extent of an apparently preceding consp

UK hospitality businesses could be unwittingly landed in hot water by guests when the Employment Rights Bill comes into force next year, writes Robin Turnbull. Most employers are aware of the ‘headline’ provisions of the bill, like rights to claim unfair dismissal from day one and guaran

Brian Inkster discusses the continued failure to implement alternative business structures in Scotland. Alternative business structures (ABS) in Scotland being kicked into the long grass was a possibility raised yesterday. This was at an online event organised by the Law Society of Scotland: 'Policy

As the use of Botox in online hacks and challenges grows, Derek Couper warns people to be sure of exactly what they’re getting into – and the dangers of not doing so While Botox has been increasing in its use for some time among image conscious people who want to look their best, the inf

Scotland is set to be the first UK nation to introduce detailed regulation of non-surgical cosmetic procedures, write Duncan Batchelor and Claire Raftery. In May, the Scottish government announced plans to introduce a non-surgical cosmetic procedures bill during the current session of the Scottish P

Millions of people involved in running UK businesses will be required to verify their identity with Companies House from the middle of November, writes Gary Gray. The identity verification requirements form part of a suite of strengthened corporate governance and transparency measures being implemen

Scotland has never quite had an artist like John Bellany, and probably never will again. Correction: delete ‘probably’. His work has had a force and an impact which few of his generation could replicate, and he was so doggedly sui generis that we must hesitate to classify him as simply S

Allan Pinkerton (born Glasgow 1819 – died Chicago 1884) has a complex legacy. Some recall with pride that the Scot was the founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. In short, Pinkerton pioneered the enforcement of law and order on the American frontier, upheld principles of gender eq

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill, aimed at reforming the law relating to 'large landholdings' and leases of rural land, has progressed to its final stage in the Scottish Parliament, following significant amendments during the stage two process, writes Rona Macdonald. Over 500 amendments were submitte

Dear Editor, Sheriff Principal Abercrombie’s review of the fatal accident system is to be welcomed. In my view, there are aspects of the system which cry out for such a review. The main problem, as I see it, is delay for which, sometimes, there is no explanation.

Harper Macleod's Bobby Murray warns consumers of the serious implications of a significant Scottish court ruling on health insurance. On 25 June, Lord Sandison issued a detailed and very interesting decision in a long-running case. 

W​ith modern slavery and people trafficking on the rise, we must stay vigilant in Scotland, writes Sheriff Maryam Labaki. There’s a brand-new Scottish musical coming to Glasgow this August, based on a remarkable story drawn straight from our legal past.

"Take that, sir. By God, sir, you shall more of this yet!,” cried Scottish banker George Morgan as he struck a merchant on the head with his umbrella. The incensed victim, David Landale, replied through the crisp Kirkcaldy air in measured breaths: "You are a coward, sir, a poor, silly coward."

As Scotland consults upon its minimum marriage age, Caroline Gillespie, family law partner at Weightmans, suggests that the country must also consider aligning its legal definition of a child with the UNCRC to ensure meaningful safeguarding. In 2024, Scotland became the first UK nation to bring the

Douglas Ross KC reviews the latest instalment in Philippe Sands KC's "loose trilogy". Philippe Sands KC is a leading public international lawyer who has moved beyond the realm of practitioner/academic by writing a series of books based on themes of international law and justice aimed at a wider audi