News

Scotland’s cybercrime and fraud experts are urging businesses to be mindful of scams during the Edinburgh Festivals. The Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland is warning businesses that might be looking to book events as a team day activity or treat for clients to be on the lookout for count

Addleshaw Goddard remained the top legal adviser for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Scotland in the first half of this year, according to the latest Experian United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland M&A Review. The firm advised on 11 deals, ahead of CMS, which took second place with ei

BTO has announced the promotion of Michael Cox to partner in the firm’s corporate team in Edinburgh. In his new position, he will continue to focus on all aspects of corporate law with a specialism in M&A.

Human rights campaigners have welcomed the release of 16 people in the largest prisoner swap between Russia and the West since the Cold War. Those pardoned, released and exiled from Russia and Belarus include Russian activists and human rights defenders Oleg Orlov, Aleksandra 'Sasha' Skochilenko, Li

A man has been jailed for shoplifting nearly 800 Cadbury's Crème Eggs. Layton Richards, 29, was charged with 24 offences after stealing the chocolate from 19 different shops in the south of England between January and April.

Global accountancy body ACCA has called on the Scottish government to increase the threshold at which charities have to complete an audit in order to relieve time and cost pressure on them. ACCA highlighted some of the problems facing charities requiring an audit, with smaller ones paying proportion

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. Israel subjecting Palestinian detainees to torture and abuse: UN report

Post Office operators in Scotland are being urged to share their experiences of working in the Post Office to provide crucial evidence for the inquiry into the Horizon scandal. The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry is investigating failings surrounding the Horizon IT system which led to the wrongful pr

Turnover at Gillespie Macandrew has increased 5.5 per cent to £17.7 million as profits reached £5.25m, its latest financial results show. Progress was driven by strong results in each of the firm’s four core sectors, land & rural business, energy, private client and commer

Watermans has completed the acquisition of Edinburgh law firm Cooper Johnson Law. The deal sees Hazel Johnson appointed as the new head of private client as Watermans builds on recent growth to expand that area of the business.

Shepherd and Wedderburn has announced the appointment of Craig Whelton and Claire MacLean as partners. Mr Whelton is a planning lawyer with a wealth of experience particularly in the clean energy sector, regeneration projects and residential development.

The UK remains Europe’s highest-risk jurisdiction for class action lawsuits, with the total claimed value exceeding £120 billion in the period 2018-2023, according to a new report from CMS. Competition class actions comprised 540 million members by the end of 2023, an increase of 200 mil

An English lawyer has sworn a courtroom oath on a river instead of a holy book in what is believed to be a legal first. Paul Powlesland, a barrister who founded and chairs the River Roding Trust, made the oath in order to serve as a juror in a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Holmes Mackillop has promoted Finlay Swan to associate solicitor. Mr Swan joined Holmes Mackillop as a trainee and qualified into the corporate team. Supporting the firm’s UK-wide practice, he specialises in corporate transactional work, particularly in the healthcare, manufacturing and financ

The Law Society of Scotland has granted extended rights of audience to nine solicitor advocates in a ceremony held at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.