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Dear Editor, The Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill continued to wend its way through the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday with the adoption of the Justice Secretary's amendment 146. The amendment deleted the original proposal to move from 15 to 12 jurors in criminal trials,

Family members involved in deaths in custody fatal accident inquiries (FAI) are to have immediate, free access to legal aid support and advice. Justice Secretary Angela Constance confirmed that she is using existing ministerial powers to remove means-testing for legal aid in such cases, so that from

Dundee solicitor Alan Baillie has passed away at the age of 67, The Courier reports. "Born in Dundee in 1957, Alan was educated at Dundee High and studied Law at Dundee University. He served his apprenticeship years at Gray, Robertson and Wilkie and worked at Blackadders and then WG Boyle & Co.

The introduction of body-worn video cameras will bring “huge benefits” to Police Scotland, chief constable Jo Farrell has said. Speaking as officers at Bell Street police station in Dundee became the first to receive cameras, she said she hopes all officers on the front lines will be equ

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. Tunisia pulls out of African Human Rights Court amid freedoms rollback | The New Arab

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told First Minister John Swinney that the role of the lord advocate should be reformed in the wake of Operation Branchform and the decision not to charge Nicola Sturgeon. Mr Starmer said the Scottish government should abolish the dual role of the lord advocate who is

An antiques expert tricked the Palace of Versailles into buying fake 18th century royal chairs, a court has heard. Pontoise Criminal Court, near Paris, was told that Bill Pallot, 61, convinced the palace to pay €840,000 for two chairs that its experts thought had belonged to the Comtesse du Bar

Terra Firma Chambers will present a Private Client seminar on Wednesday 23 April to mark the launch of the second edition of Roddy MacLeod’s book Contentious Executries: Commissary & Executry Litigation in Scotland. The second edition of the book, first published by W.Green in 2022, covers

First Minister John Swinney has paid tribute to Christina McKelvie MSP, the Scottish government minister for drugs and alcohol policy, who has passed away. Mr Swinney said she was "one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met".

Justin Borg-Barthet has been appointed as the head of the School of Law at Aberdeen University.  Greg Gordon’s term as head of school concludes on 31 July and Professor Borg-Barthet will take up the position from 1 August. 

Denmark has made no progress in addressing corruption, according to the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe Group of States against Corruption (GRECO) has published two compliance reports on Denmark, assessing progress made in the implementation of the recommendations it made in 2014 and 2019.

Professor Abbe Brown is among the new fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) recognised as outstanding individuals whose contributions are shaping society in Scotland and beyond. The professor of intellectual property law at the University of Aberdeen is among the 2025 cohort celebrating le

Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty has expressed concern at the continuing plight of the people in Ukraine. Mr O’Flaherty visited the country from 17 to 21 March, during which he focussed on placing human rights at the heart of the discussions towards peac

The Crown Office has lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a fatal accident (FAI) inquiry into the death of 48-year-old Gary Wallace, who died on 17 April 2021 at HMP Inverness.   A preliminary hearing will be held on 8 May 2025 at Inverness Sheriff Court.  

Registers of Scotland (RoS) has published its annual report providing insights into who owns Scotland's land. The Country of origin report 2024 shows where land and property owners and tenants were based at the time of purchase, including locations within Scotland, the rest of the UK, and beyond.