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An Italian man faces a fine of up to €200,000 (£172,000) or a possible prison term after the dried head of a critically endangered crocodile was found in his luggage at Turin’s Caselle airport. The passenger had arrived from Miami via Istanbul, reportedly returning from holiday, whe

Legislation to extend candidacy rights at council elections to Commonwealth citizens with limited leave to remain has been introduced. The Scottish Local Government Elections (Candidacy Rights of Commonwealth Citizens) Bill will rectify an issue concerning Commonwealth citizens in local government e

An inquiry into the case for and against splitting the dual role of the lord advocate has been launched by Westminster's Scottish Affairs Committee. The committee has also launched an inquiry into the Electoral Commission's oversight of the funding and governance of  political parties in Scotla

A commercial litigation and insolvency specialist has rejoined Aberdein Considine LLP, eight years after stepping down from the partnership to focus primarily on her family business. Leonie Nimmons (née Donald) returns to the firm’s growing dispute resolution team as a consultant and wi

Judges have warned that SNP plans to automatically release prisoners earlier, including sexual offenders and domestic abusers, could increase reoffending and reduce public safety. The senators of the College of Justice issued their warning in response to Justice Secretary Neil Gray’s proposals

Murray Beith Murray LLP has welcomed the appointment of Jill Andrew as co-chair of a Scotland-wide residential property process review. Ms Andrew was asked by ministers to co-lead the Scottish Government Conveyancing Review Working Group, which will undertake a focussed analysis of Scotland’s

Scotland’s justice system risks undermining the rule of law as complainers could face High Court delays of up to four years, the head of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS) has warned. Malcolm Graham, SCTS chief executive, told Holyrood’s Criminal Justice Committee that the

The Scottish Arbitration Centre (SAC) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) have entered into a cooperation agreement to advance international dispute resolution. SAC and ICSID will cooperate to promote and disseminate knowledge of arbitration, conciliation, medi

Anderson Strathern has been named as a supplier on six lots of Government Commercial Agency’s (GCA) new RM6374 Legal Panel for Public Sector framework. The firm has retained its position as a supplier on the public sector legal framework, securing re-appointments across all six lots for which

Robots took to the streets of Warsaw this week, waving flags and marching in circles to demand stronger regulation of AI. About 30 AI-powered machines, ranging from humanoids to dog-like quadrupeds, demonstrated outside Poland’s digital affairs ministry in a protest organised by Democratism, w

The property market across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders held steady during June-August 2026, according to Scottish property portal ESPC. During a period of wider economic uncertainty, and throughout the typically quieter months of June-August, the property market remained stable ove

Optimum Advocates has announced that three members of the stable have been appointed to the rank and dignity of King’s Counsel this year: Wendy Culross, Greg Farrell and Lynsey Roger. The three were among the 16 new silks that were appointed this year.

Prevention is essential to reducing domestic abuse in the future, but victims need the protection of the law now, Lord Advocate Ruth Charteris KC said after new figures showed 34,586 domestic abuse charges were reported to prosecutors last year. Statistics compiled by the Crown Office show a 14 per

His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of Lord Briggs of Westbourne as the next president of the Supreme Court. The King made the appointment on the advice of the prime minister and lord chancellor, following the recommendation of an independent selection commission. Lord Briggs will take

Westwater Advocates has congratulated Ken McGuire on his elevation to the rank and dignity of King’s Counsel. Mr McGuire called to the bar in 2010 and is dual-qualified in Scots and English Law, specialising in employment and public law. He is currently in Crown Office as a full-time advocate