News

Parents who hit their children are more likely to subsequently abuse them and leave them with lasting effects according to a new report. Research commissioned by charities and the Children's Commissioner found that smacking kids can result in depression and a higher probability that they will become

Paul Wheelhouse Plans to strengthen the community justice system in Scotland have passed stage 1 at the Scottish Parliament amid concerns the measures are too "timid".

A football club has been accused of breaking heraldic law by using an unregistered coat of arms as its crest. Ayr United has been referred to the Court of the Lord Lyon in a complaint by a rival team who accuse it of breaking the law which dates back to the reign of King Charles II.

Graham Construction has been awarded the £18m contract to complete the refurbishment of Edinburgh Law School. Work on the "Old College Law School Refurbishment Project" will begin on Monday and see Graham onsite at the South Bridge building until winter 2017/18.

Michael Gove Westminster's Justice Select Committee has called for the abolition of the criminal courts charge “as soon as possible” in a damning assessment of the costs.

. He was sympathetic to the proposed declaration relating to the Guidance but agreed that it would be wrong to make it without considering further submissions. Jamie Kerr, an immigration expert at Thorntons said: "This decision seems to be a very harsh one, especially given that compliance with the

The publisher of GQ magazine has been found in contempt of court over a “seriously prejudicial” article on the phone-hacking trial. The High Court in London ruled that the article had created a “substantial risk” the trial of former News of the World (NoW) editor Rebekah Brooks, former deput

Elaine McDougall Motorists in Glasgow have paid more fines this year in traffic offences caught on CCTV than in any other council area in the UK BBC News reports.

Professor Mark Poustie A new report recommends an increase in the number of penalties available for wildlife crime offences.

The Scottish Criminal Case Review Commission (SCCRC) has referred the case of a man convicted of various offences relating to the possession and distribution of indecent photographs of children to theHigh Court following the decision in Strachan v HMA2011. In accordance with the commission’s statu

An English local authority that challenged a decision which meant the costs of providing accommodation for an elderly care home resident who moved north of the border could be recovered from the council has had a petition for judicial review refused. A judge in the Court of Session dismissed the cha

Val McDermid Scottish authors have called for reform of the country's antiquated defamation laws which they argue threaten freedom of speech and could lead to libel tourism.

From left: Frank Mulholland QC, Michael Matheson and Lord Carloway  

Joe FitzPatrick A bill to avoid election clashes has been published.

Alex Neil Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil has today launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of human rights for everyone.