News

A Police Scotland database contains the names of more than 500,000 people despite the fact many have never committed a crime, prompting calls for a review. Solicitor Aamer Anwar said that Chief Constable Jo Farrell should explain why so many names are on the database.

A prolific child sex offender who abused four young boys over a 19-year period has been jailed. Peter McCormick, 66, admitted being engaged in lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards the children between June 1978 and December 1997.

A woman whose job offer with the police was withdrawn because she was on antidepressants is taking her case to the Employment Tribunal. Laura Mackenzie, from Inverness, was sent for a medical and was to be fitted for a uniform before her provisional offer was withdrawn.

A better solution is needed to deal with solicitors who fail to co-operate with the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC), the body has said. The Inner House of the Court of Session last week stopped short of finding a practitioner in contempt of court after three hearings and a proof relating

A man found guilty of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third has had his prison sentence increased following a successful appeal by the Crown. Anthony Plaskett was given a five-year prison term in January 2024, which prosecutors argued was unduly lenient.

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.