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Artificial intelligence could play a positive role in the justice system as long as it is used carefully and transparently, a Scottish lawyer has told a major conference in London. Professor Peter Watson, solicitor advocate at PBW Law and president of the British Academy of Forensic Sciences (BAFS),

French judge Mattias Guyomar has been elected as president of the European Court of Human Rights. Judge Guyomar, who has served on the court since 2020 and as a section president since 2024, will succeed Slovenian judge Marko Bošnjak on 30 May 2025.

A Holyrood committee has rejected a motion recommending the removal of Maggie Chapman MSP after she criticised the UK Supreme Court in the wake of its ruling on the definition of "woman" in equality law. The Scottish Parliament's equalities, human rights and civil justice committee, of which the Gre

AI-powered "nudification" apps should be banned because of their impact on children's safety, wellbeing and participation online, the children's rights watchdog in England has said. A new report from the English children's commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, warns that while creating or sharing a se

A disgruntled former Disney employee who hacked into the company's computers to vandalise its restaurant menus has been jailed. Michael Scheuer, 40, made changes including altering menu information relating to wine regions to reflect locations of recent mass shootings.

Dr Smita Kheria has been elected as chair of the Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA). Dr Kheria, a senior lecturer in intellectual property law at Edinburgh Law School, is the first woman of colour to hold the position since the association was established in 1990.

A special feedback forum will be held to mark 10 years since the establishment of the Sheriff Appeal Court. The event on Wednesday 14 May will hear directly from those who use the court. Attendance is welcomed from advocates, solicitor advocates, solicitors, and others with experience of the appeals

Edinburgh law firm Quill Legal is working with local charity VOCAL (Voice of Carers Across Lothian) to offer a pro bono service to provide powers of attorney to unpaid carers and those they care for. Partner Kay Blaikie has supported carers at the charity's Edinburgh Carers' Hub twice a month since

Scottish prisons had the highest mortality rate in Europe last year as prison death rose by 60 per cent to reach a record 64, according to new research. An annual report from the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research (SCCJR) examined the 244 people – equivalent to four a week –

The Law Society of Scotland is increasing its recommended minimum pay for trainee solicitors by five per cent in response to economy-wide wages growth and inflationary pressures. From 1 June 2025, the recommended rate for trainees in Scotland will be £24,840 for first-year trainees and £

Police are on the hunt for a drug dealer believed to have hidden drug-filled eggs across a city as part of an Easter scavenger hunt. Five plastic eggs containing around seven grams of cannabis were allegedly hidden in spots across Lufkin, Texas, with clues to their locations posted on Facebook.

The Trump administration has been accused of seeking to intimidate the judiciary after a sitting judge was arrested and charged with allegedly helping a defendant evade arrest by immigration enforcement officers. Judge Hannah Dugan of Milwaukee County Circuit in Wisconsin was arrested on Friday afte

The next edition of CLT Scotland’s popular Scots Law Series will be taking place live online during June with delegates able to choose from nine individual conferences. Roy Spiers, CLT Scotland’s director of programmes, said: “We are delighted to attract a panel of expert speakers

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published an interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court's landmark judgment on the meaning of "woman" in equality law.

Sean Austin and Katie Docherty have been reappointed as members of the Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) board. The pair have been appointed by Natalie Don-Innes, minister for children, young people and the Promise, for a further four-year term running from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2029.