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Convictions rose by 15 per cent in 2022-23 to 68,067, new figures from Scotland’s chief statistician show. The figures demonstrate the continued recovery of the justice system following the impact of the pandemic. 2022-23 marked a return to more normal court capacities following the court clos

Asylum seekers were unlawfully detained on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Chagos Islands controversially retained by the UK after Mauritius became independent in the 1960s, a judge has ruled. The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Supreme Court yesterday found that dozens of Sri Lankan Tamils w

Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Lord Hodge, has today announced his intention to retire on 31 December 2025. Lord Hodge has served as a justice of the Supreme Court and the JCPC since 1st October 2013 and was appointed as deputy president in January 2020. Appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1996,

Burness Paull has become the first Scottish law firm to support the 93% Club as a corporate sponsor. The 93% Club is described as the UK’s “least exclusive members’ club” dedicated to representing the 93% of the UK population who attended state schools. The organisation exist

The Crown Office has lodged a first notice to begin the court process for a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the death of Anne Amos. Ms Amos, aged 72, died in Pine Villa Nursing Home, Loanhead, Midlothian on 13 September 2021 after choking on food.

The Scottish government has been taken to task by the information commissioner over its failure to back down from a legal case over the publication of evidence from an inquiry into whether Nicola Sturgeon broke the ministerial code. David Hamilton said he was disappointed with the government's behav

The Irish government has reaffirmed its support for international law after the Israeli government announced it would shut its Dublin embassy in retaliation for Ireland's planned intervention at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Ministers agreed last Wednesday to intervene in the ICJ cases o

Catherine Dyer CBE has been re-appointed as chair of the Community Justice Scotland board. Ms Dyer is a lawyer with extensive experience of public sector leadership, policy, strategy and delivery and is the first woman to be appointed as crown agent for Scotland, acting as chief executive of the Cro

The Scottish government has awarded £400,000 to Citizens Advice Scotland to improve access to help for people struggling with council tax debt. Building on successful pilot schemes funded in 2023-4, the additional funding will enable targeted advice on council tax debt to be provided in six ne

Parents are being urged not to turn puppy love at Christmas into a financial pipeline for criminal gangs. Millions of pounds are spent every year on trafficked dogs bought at unauthorised puppy farms or online. Sales are expected to spike in the run-up to  Christmas amid concerns that buyers co

The head of a police watchdog has insisted he can continue to carry out his function remotely after swapping his notoriously cold city for sunny Portugal. John McDougall, chair of the Edmonton Police Commission, has permanently relocated more than 4,600 miles away from the city whose police force he

Following the success of last year's Burns Supper in memory of the late Billy Boyle, Dundee lawyers are organising another event next year to be sponsored by Scottish Legal News. The Dundee Lawyers' Boyle Memorial Burns Supper will take place in Dundee's historic Burns Club on Saturday 18th January

Lawyers are refusing certain cases because they lose money on them due to legal aid rules. Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said members were turning away people charged with certain crimes including burglary.

In January there will be a new season of Thursday evening talks on history at the Signet Library. The talks are free to members and guests and places will be reserved on a first come first served basis. Contact library@wssociety.co.uk if you have any questions.

The number of police officers quitting to follow other careers should be a wake-up call for the Scottish government, Scottish Labour has warned.  Scottish Labour's Pauline McNeill urged the SNP to reverse this trend as soon as possible before burn out creates a "snowball effect".