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New rules to reduce deaths in household fires have been announced, with improved standards introduced for fire and smoke alarms in Scottish homes. The improved standards will mean every home in the country must have a smoke alarm fitted in the living room or lounge, and in circulation spaces such as

A woman who mutilated her three-year-old child has become the first person in the UK to be convicted of female genital mutilation (FGM). The Ugandan woman, 37, from east London wept at her trial in the Old Bailey. Her 43-year-old partner was acquitted.

A study into Scotland’s most and least affordable cities has found that Aberdeen has seen the biggest boost in home affordability over the last five years. The latest Bank of Scotland research found that average house prices in the city have risen by only two per cent to £203,944 in the

A Texas lawyer is suing Apple after its FaceTime bug allegedly allowed someone to overhear his confidential meeting with a client. Larry Williams II filed a suit in Harris County, Houston after it was revealed that the bug allowed eavesdroppers to listen in on a call on a phone or Mac before the use

A sheriff has banned a man from shouting in his own flat. Solicitor Anika Jethwa told Dundee Sheriff Court that Gerrard Kelly, 41, shouts as a coping mechanism to deal with his “difficulties”.

A teenager who claimed that Scottish legislation on “fixed penalty notices” breached European human rights law on the basis that there was no means of challenging the charge if an individual failed to ask to be tried for the alleged offence within the statutory 28-day time limit has had

Individuals with concerns that members of the legal community are involved with financial improprieties or money laundering can now anonymously report their concerns to the professional body for Scottish solicitors. The confidential reporting concerns line and online form, which have gone live today

Brexit is starting to get real, with the detail of the ‘no deal’ provision being put in place. Continuing on from her earlier two articles on Brexit and family law (Part I, Part II), Rachael Kelsey now looks at what all family lawyers (specialists or those with a more general practice) n

The UK government has recently announced that the “same roof” rule in terms of criminal injuries compensation is to be abolished. This rule precludes compensation for victims of violence at the hands of members of the same family with whom they were living before October 1979. The reform

CMS has advised SSE on the sale of a 49.9 per cent stake in its Stronelairg and Dunmaglass wind farms to Greencoat UK Wind Plc in partnership with a major UK pension fund whose investment is managed by Greencoat Capital. The stakes equate to 160.6MW (megawatts) of capacity and the total consideratio

Inquests for the victims of the Guildford pub bombing should restart more than 40 years after they were suspended, a coroner has ruled. Five people were killed on 5 October 1974 when two bombs were detonated by the IRA at two Guildford pubs. Four people, known as the “Guildford Four”, we

Two advocates appeared on television this week to discuss a recent high profile criminal case. Benchmark Advocates' Edith Forrest and Thomas Ross QC commented on PF v Christopher Daniel on STV's Scotland Tonight.

DAC Beachcroft Scotland has reported strong growth over 2018 as a result of five new panel appointments and securing additional work from existing clients. With more pipeline work and tender outcomes awaited, John Maillie, location head for DAC Beachcroft Scotland, is optimistic heading into 20

DLA Piper's non-US revenue for the year to 30 April 2018 rose by five per cent to £42.2 million, £29m of which related to the UK business. Profits increased by £11.4m to £315.8m, while operating costs rose to £31.9m to £600.5m.

A team of law students from Glasgow University have triumphed at a national mediation competition. Megan Duff, Christy Foster and Ross Wilson came joint first in the UK Mediation Competition 2019, which was held at the University of the West of England in Bristol.