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Convictions for domestic abuse were at their second highest level on record last year, while the number of people convicted for sexual crimes reached an all-time high. Official statistics for 2015-16 reveal that 12,374 people were convicted in Scotland’s courts for crimes and offences involving do

James Wolffe QC Following a five month inquiry into the effectiveness and efficiency of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Holyrood’s Justice Committee is to conclude its investigation by questioning the head of the service.

Growers of a unique potato have applied for EU protected status. Ayrshire earlies, which are harvested months before normal potatoes, were created 160 years ago by two farmers.

Denise Loney and Kay Springham QC have been appointed to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission. Ms Loney (pictured right) is a solicitor in practice with a background in civil litigation. She has served as a member of the Scottish Legal Aid Board and was a convenor of the Scottish Services Cases

Kenny Crawford The latest publication of the UK House Price Index (UK HPI) shows that the average price of a property in Scotland in November 2016 was £143,033 – an increase of 3.3 per cent on the previous year and an increase of one per cent when compared to the previous month. However, Aberdeen

Roddy Maclennan Roddy Maclennan, a Watsonian and a banking and finance partner at MacRoberts, has been appointed chairman of the Governing Council of George Watson’s College.

Shubha Banerjee London Central Employment Tribunal has today upheld the claims of over 200 judges for unlawful age, race and sex discrimination and equal pay against the Lord Chancellor and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in relation to changes made to their pension entitlements.

Three men who claimed that the “blanket ban” that prevents people with unspent criminal convictions which resulted in a custodial sentence or community order from being eligible for redress under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme have had their legal challenge dismissed. The claimants ar

Steven Walker QC New silk Steven Walker QC of Terra Firma Chambers has been ranked band 1 for international arbitration in Singapore in the Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific Guide 2017. He is the only Scottish silk ranked and is only one of four British silks ranked band 1.

Holyrood’s Finance and Constitution Committee is to examine the Air Departure Tax Bill, it has been announced. The bill, introduced to Parliament, will give the Scottish government the power to levy a tax on aircraft operators on the “carriage of passengers on flights that begin in Scotland”.

Tim Gee Corporate deals in the UK will continue to drop on last year in the wake of Brexit uncertainty, according to one law firm.

Mady Delvaux-Stehres Members of the European Parliament have agreed to vote on a proposal that would see robots granted legal status as “electronic persons” and have warned laws are needed to ensure machines are held responsible for “acts or omissions”.

in the cartel during that period, the Commission considered that most of the proposed reductions were no longer appropriate for the period 1993-2004. The change in position of the Roullier group explains why it cannot rely on the principle of the protection of legitimate expectations regarding main

David McIlwaine Arbitrators' lack of industry expertise is stifling the use of international arbitration for resolving technology disputes, according to a study by Pinsent Masons and academics.

Maya Foa Human rights group Reprieve has criticised the UK government for failing to take steps to prevent the execution of three men in Bahrain, our sister publication, Irish Legal News, reports.