News

Alan McLean QC of Hastie Stable has qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. The qualification process involves passing rigorous academic courses on arbitration law and practice (covering both Scottish and international arbitration), an examination involving the preparat

This week the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) handed down its judgment in the case of Levola Hengelo BV v Smilde Foods BV which asserted that the taste of food does not attract protection as a copyrighted work. Rebecca Henderson and Jennifer Dool examine the case. Background

Neale Tosh, an associate based in DWF's Glasgow office, has today been admitted by the Law Society of Scotland as a solicitor advocate at a ceremony at the Court of Session. The appointment will allow him to represent DWF's clients in that court as well as the Supreme Court and the Judicial Committe

Boutique international corporate law firm Rooney Nimmo has appointed Dawn Robertson as a partner. Ms Robertson, who will also sit on the board of directors in the firm's UK operations, has had experience at partner level for over a decade and has advised a wide range of commercial sta

Theresa Hunt highlights important changes in the licensing landscape. Aberdeen City Licensing Board has just taken a unanimous decision to amend its licensing policies and allow all licensed premises in the city centre to remain open until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights. Previously late opening w

Judges are working in poor conditions, England and Wales' Lord Chief Justice has said. Lord Burnett of Maldon said the poor condition of courts had contributed to “low levels of morale”, The Times reports.

Inspirational speakers will address young lawyers this month at the Signet Library. The Scottish Young Lawyers' Association, in collaboration with the WS Society, is hosting an evening with a panel of lawyers who will discuss their career paths, before a discussion and opportunity for questions.

Police have seized a two-month-old lion cub after stopping a Lamborghini whose driver was snapping selfies with the animal. The 33-year-old man reportedly told officers that it was "just a cat", but he failed to persuade them and was arrested.

A group of ten police officers against whom misconduct proceedings were raised after a detective investigating allegations of sexual offences against another constable came across a series of “WhatsApp” messages are suing the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. The petitioners are seekin

MacRoberts LLP announced today that Euan Duncan is the firm’s new chair. The new role will involve the strategic development of the business, maintaining and acquiring new clients and contacts and internally encouraging and supporting all members of staff and partners.

The Scottish government is calling on the public to help shape consolidated and modernised hate crime legislation as a new consultation opens today. ‘One Scotland: Hate Has No Home Here’ follows on from Lord Bracadale’s review of existing hate crime legislation in Scotland which in

The "unnecessary" UK law curbing the powers of the Scottish Parliament is undermining devolution and should now be repealed, Constitutional Relations Secretary Michael Russell has said. In an update to the House of Commons, Cabinet Office Minister, David Lidington, confirmed "significant progress" i

Allan Rooney, founding partner of Rooney Nimmo and president of the Scottish Bar Association of New York (ScotBarNY), reflects on the qualities needed to succeed in business. Be entrepreneurially minded – if you’re wired that way

Human rights has been one of the undoubted successes of devolution, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said on the 20th anniversary of the Scotland Act and Human Rights Act becoming law. The First Minister warned that Brexit must not be allowed to erode the rights and duties which derive from human righ

The Faculty of Advocates has become an unlikely common denominator for a transatlantic fellowship and an ecumenical chapel in Edinburgh. Two senior members of Faculty, Lisa Henderson QC, and Herbert Kerrigan QC, have taken up appointments with the British-American Project (BAP) and the Thistle Trust