News

Independent advisers will be able to launch investigations into alleged breaches of the Ministerial Code under new powers being given to them by First Minister John Swinney. Currently, investigations can only begin following a referral from the first minister. But the Scottish Ministerial Code will

Legislation to create a carbon budget approach to setting climate targets has been published. The Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Bill seeks to amend the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, in response to the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) advice that Scotland’s

From 24 September it will be an offence to intentionally or recklessly influence, harass or prevent anyone from accessing or providing abortion services in protected zones around certain hospitals and clinics. The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024 comes into force and creates

John Sturrock KC will be in conversation with retired colonel, Dr Fred Clark Boli later this month about the remarkable series of meetings which took place in Edinburgh and Moscow at the height of the Cold War in the 1980s involving British, American and Soviet participants. The Conversations,

Arnot Manderson Advocates has welcomed the news that stable members Marie H. Clark and Laura Thomson have been appointed King’s Counsel. This brings the number of senior counsel in the stable to 10. Marie H. Clark called to the bar in 1996 and enjoys an enviable civil litigation practice with

A rapist who subjected women to a campaign of controlling, violent and sexual abuse over the course of 23 years has been jailed. George McDonald was found guilty of 10 charges involving three women on 29 July following a trial at the High Court in Paisley.

Convicted fraudster Anna Delvey, whose $200,000 scam was dramatised by Netflix as Inventing Anna, is to be a celebrity contestant on a televised US dancing competition. Delvey, whose real name is Anna Sorokin, will wear an ankle monitor during her appearance on Dancing with the Stars, the US version

The Scottish Human Rights Commission said it is "deeply disappointed" that First Minister John Swinney has not delivered the new Human Rights Bill for Scotland in his Programme for Government. Professor Angela O’Hagan, chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, said: “The proposed Hu

The government is planning to banish the remaining hereditary peers from the House of Lords in the biggest parliamentary change in 25 years. The 92 hereditary peers will lose their right to sit in the Lords under proposals put forward today.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts (MFMac) has become the official legal partner of Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) for the next three years.

The Scottish government has proposed a range of positive justice sector reforms in its 2024-25 Programme for government, but has failed to recognise the urgent need for investment in access to justice and legal aid, according to the Law Society of Scotland. The programme, unveiled by First Minster J

Barristers in England and Wales will be required to "act in a way that advances equality, diversity and inclusion" under a proposed revision to the profession's rules. The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is consulting on a proposed change to Core Duty 8, which currently says barristers "must not discrimin

Ampersand’s James McConnell KC and Usman Tariq KC have taken silk. Mr McConnell has a practice that mainly focusses on clinical negligence. He is also frequently instructed in inquiries with a medical element. He acts for pursuers and defenders in roughly equal proportions. He is Band 1 ranked

A rapist who sexually abused young girls over the course of two decades has been jailed. Derek Lamond was found guilty of 10 charges on August 7 following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Desmond Cheyne, Colin Edward and Scott McAlpine have been elevated to the rank and dignity of King’s Counsel. Mr Cheyne called to the bar in 1986. He has a wide-ranging practice but is best known for his expertise in financial provision on divorce, cases involving children and criminal cases i