News

The chief constable of Police Scotland has admitted mistakenly recording “several hundred thousand” stop and searches per year. Sir Stephen House (pictured) said the numbers of routine encounters, such as taking alcohol from young people had distorted official statistics.

A man charged with being in possession of a class A drug with intent to supply has had his challenge to a decision to postpone his trial for five months refused. It was argued that the sheriff’s decision was “oppressive, erroneous and contrary to law”, but the Criminal Appeal Court ruled that

Lady Hale, deputy president of the Supreme Courtdelivered the Bryce Lecture 2015 at Somerville College, University of Oxford recently. In the address, Lady Hale explores the evolving relationship between the courts and parliament, paying particular attention to the role the UKSC plays in protecting

Rona Dennison discusses brand development and protection in Scotland’s food and drink sector. After the historic year of 2014, the appetite for Scotland’s food and drink brands shows no sign of being satisfied in the coming 12 months. Our food and drink sector relished the opportunity to showcas

The lord advocate, Frank Mulholland QC(pictured), will visit Aberdeen to give a key note speech on access to justice and how it impacts society. The event, which is being organised by the award-winning Aberdeen Law Project, is expected to attract a capacity audience when it is held on Friday 27 Febr

DWF has announced the appointment of Ben Powell (pictured) as a partner in the firm’s construction, infrastructure and projects team in Edinburgh. Mr Powell has previously worked at Dundas & Wilson, McGrigors, Hammonds and, most recently,Tods Murray, where he was a partner in the capital proje

The Insurance Bill received royal assent this week, implementing reforms recommended by the law commissions of England and Wales and of Scotland to modernise and simplify insurance contract law across the UK. The Insurance Act 2015 will give effect to reforms recommended by the law commissions in th

The Law Society of Scotland has published a report following an independent review of consumer protections for people buying and selling property in Scotland. The review, by former Sheriff Principal Edward Bowen CBE QC, examined the current consumer protections in place as well as conveyancing pract

A number of police officers accused of sex crimes have been put on restricted duties or suspended. Data seen by The Scotsman indicates there are currently 13 officers suspended from Police Scotland while a number of offences are investigated.

The Scottish Ministers have been found in contempt of court after prison officers breached an undertaking not to open an inmate’s letters. A judge in the Court of Session ruled that the Scottish Prison Service took “no steps” to inform any member of its staff at HMP Glenochil about the existen

On 9 March 2015, the Scottish Young Lawyers’ Association will host a new conference for 2015, entitled SYLA Civil Day Conference: The Changing Landscape. The SYLA are delighted to announce that the conference will be sponsored by Digby Brown LLP.

A barrister who previously said men should not be prosecuted for rape in situations where a woman was drunk has now said women who dress “provocatively” are indicating they are “up for a good time” in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live. David Osborne (pictured) said girls who are dressed ina

Uploading revenge pornography in is to become an offence in England and Wales after the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill receives royal assent – with offenders facing jail terms of up to two years. The bill contains an amendment dealing with images transmitted over social media including Twitter a

Westwater Advocates’ Isabella Ennis (pictured) has seen success in a recent family case. The case of AM v RM was the first case in Scotland to consider the question of whether or not a parent who has had parental rights and responsibilities removed by order of the court in a part 1 order under the

Investment in Scottish commercial property rose by 81 per cent last year after the "No" vote in September’s independence referendum dispelled uncertainty in the sector, according to industry information specialist CoStar. The firm’s data revealed that last year’s hike in commercial real estate