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A short-term prisoner who was refused early release under Home Detention Curfew (HDC) under the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 has had his petition against the decision rejected. John Paton brought judicial review proceedings against the Scottish Government aft

A judge in the Outer House of the Court of Session has agreed to a fast-tracked hearing on whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson can legally suspend Parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit. More than 70 MPs and peers have joined forced to call on the courts to rule that suspending Parliament to

Defence solicitor Gordon Ritchie charts the decline of Scotland's justice system and respect for the rights of the accused. As I approach the 30th anniversary of my admission as a solicitor, and contemplate a retirement into the great unknown of pipe and slippers, I considered the changes in law and

Lord Carlile has been appointed to lead an independent review of the controversial Prevent counter-terrorism programme. The barrister and former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation has promised to conduct a "strongly evidence-based" review of the scheme, which has drawn criticism from trad

Campbell Clark, a partner in the corporate & commercial team at Blackadders LLP, has been appointed as chair of the advisory board of LEGUS, the international network of law firms, for a two-year term. Mr Clark has been Blackadders’ main LEGUS contact since the firm joined the network in 2

The Scottish Civil Justice Council has published its sixth annual report, which outlines its achievements, accounts and a summary of the rules prepared during the year. Writing his foreword as council chair, the Lord President, Lord Carloway, charted the council’s continued work on civil court

UK officials will withdraw from EU meetings on European law and policy this week in anticipation of the UK's exit later this year, according to reports. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs last month that "very many brilliant UK officials" are "trapped in meeting after meeting in Brussels and Luxe

ESPC has announced that its charity partner for the upcoming year is Fresh Start, an Edinburgh-based organisation helping people who have been homeless get established in their new home. The charity works with volunteers and organisations from across the local community to deliver a range of service

Police have warned they may take action against Facebook users commenting on the headshot of a convicted drug dealer to make fun of his receding hairline. More than 89,000 comments have been posted on a photo of Jermaine Taylor, 21, who is wanted by police for breach of his license conditions.

A man who was found carrying a machete in a Cambuslang woodland has had his appeal against conviction for carrying an offensive weapon in public without a reasonable excuse refused. Christopher McCormick appealed against a conviction of carrying an offensive weapon under the Criminal Law (

A legal petition to stop Prime Minister Boris Johnson forcing through a no-deal Brexit by suspending Parliament has been granted permission to proceed. Given the urgency of the situation, an initial hearing to determine further procedure is due to be held at the Court of Session tomorrow before

Soaring immigration fees have led to accusations of profiteering against the Home Office, which made £500 million last year. Analysis by The Times shows that fees charged to hundreds of thousands of people for British residency and citizenship have increased sharply over the past five years, w

Skippers breaking fishing laws are agreeing to "anonymous" fines, The Herald reports. Charity Open Seas has said those who commit crimes at sea should be named and shamed amid fears that the penalties in place do not deter wrongdoing.

Planning lawyer Fraser Mitchell has been appointed to Shoosmiths as a partner in its Edinburgh-based real estate team. Mr Mitchell, who graduated in law from the University of Edinburgh has moved from Shepherd & Wedderburn in Edinburgh where he was previously senior associate in its planning and

The Scottish Law Commission (SLC) is keen to hear from family law practitioners about their experiences, and those of their clients, of claims under the cohabitation provisions in the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006. The commission would be grateful if practitioners would take time to compl