News

A global networking and community group for in-house legal professionals is hosting its next Aberdeen-based in-person event on Thursday 20 June. Supported by Pinsent Masons Vario, the Crafty Locals Aberdeen – part of the Crafty Counsel group – was so encouraged by its initial get-togethe

The total number of charges reported to police containing at least one element of hate crime is 1.5 per cent higher than in 2022-23, new figures show. Hate Crime in Scotland 2023-24, published today, brings together figures on race crime, and on crime motivated by prejudice related to religion, disa

Chris Creegan has been appointed to the board of the Scottish Police Authority (SPA). Mr Creegan was vice chair of Police Scotland Independent Review Group on Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights from 2021 to 2024, having recently stepped down from that role.

Munro & Noble Solicitors has promoted Michael Cockburn to senior solicitor. Originally from Inverness, he obtained an LLB from the University of Dundee in 2018. He continued his legal education at Dundee, completing the diploma in legal practice in 2019.

Ampersand Advocates has announced the addition of Julian Ghosh KC to its ranks. Mr Ghosh is a highly respected advocate and barrister, known for his knowledge across multiple areas of law. His expertise encompasses corporate work, European taxation issues, judicial review, and administrative law.

Protections for people who are in debt and experiencing mental health problems have been approved by the Scottish Parliament. The Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill includes the power to bring in a pause on debt recovery action until six months after the person has finished treatment.

Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd is one of six leading figures in law, science and other fields who will be honoured at the University of Dundee’s summer graduation ceremonies this month. Lord Thomas was the lord chief justice of England and Wales between 2013 and 2017. He called to the bar in 1969 (Gr

The fatal accident inquiry into the death of William Kirkwood at HMP Grampian has found no precautions could have been taken to prevent the tragedy. Mr Kirkwood, 50, died by hanging, "with no other significant injuries, and no significant natural disease found" on 29 April 2022.

Burges Salmon has announced the appointment of Magnus Miller as a partner in its dispute resolution team, based in Edinburgh. Mr Miller is a seasoned litigator with experience in advising on a wide range of real estate disputes and commercial litigation matters across both the public and private sec

Judges failed subpostmasters convicted in the Horizon scandal, according to a former director of public prosecutions. Sir David Calvert-Smith, 79, who reviewed scores of appeals for the Post Office, said that in at least 12 convictions, judges ought to have “probed” the prosecution case

Motorists can take to the Autobahn just a few hours after lighting up a cannabis joint under new rules. German MPs have voted to back a new legal driving limit of 3.5 nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the main psychoactive component of cannabis – per millilitre of blood.

John Stirling and Conner McConnell conclude their critique of housing legislation currently under consideration at Holyrood. See part one here. In our article “The unaddressed issue in residential tenancies” published in Scottish Legal News last month, we drew attention to a deficiency i

Police Scotland has agreed a national contract to implement body worn video for frontline officers and staff across Scotland over the next three years. Motorola was successful in securing the £13.3 million contract, which entails the purchase of 10,500, Home Office-approved VB400 cameras and s

A man who raped two former partners and abused a third over a three-year period has been jailed. Haydn Edmonds was found guilty of four charges on May 7 following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts has announced its first round of promotions since merging. The firm has announced 27 promotions across its five divisions – nine in corporate & commercial, six in litigation, five in real estate, four in private client and three in construction & projects.