News

The first of a two-stage approach to new legal safeguards on XL Bully dogs in Scotland will come into force on 23 February subject to Holyrood's approval. From this date, it will remain legal to own an XL Bully dog but owners must ensure their dogs are muzzled and on a lead when in a public place. S

The SSC Society and the Scottish Young Lawyers’ Association will be hosting an event on a recent major criminal judgment. A Spotlight on the Lord Advocate’s Reference No 1 of 2023 will feature Professor James Chalmers at the SSC Society, Parliament House, Edinburgh on 8 February 2024 at

A successful domestic abuse pilot where evidence is shared and agreed prior to a trial diet being assigned has been extended to Glasgow Sheriff Court.

A judge has posted a defiant response on Facebook after landing in hot water over her social media posts, including a racy photo in a hot tub with criminal defence lawyers. Judge Erika Ballou, a district judge in Las Vegas, is facing a formal investigation by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discip

Shakespeare Martineau has expanded its footprint in Edinburgh.

Sheriffs have warned of a danger to judges who preside over juryless trials as their verdicts would come under public scrutiny. In a submission to MSPs commenting on a proposed pilot that would see judges sit alone in sexual offence cases, the Sheriffs and Summary Sheriffs’ Association pointed

Balfour and Manson has announced that David Short is to take over as executive chairman, succeeding Elaine Motion, who has spent almost 10 years at the helm of the firm. Mrs Motion, a highly respected litigation lawyer who became executive chairman in March 2014, remains as a partner at the firm. Mr

Online trolls who deliberately share flashing images in order to harm people with epilepsy face imprisonment under a first-in-the-world law now in force in England and Wales. The measure, which has been dubbed "Zach's law", forms part of the new Online Safety Act which also criminalises cyber-flashi

Caroline Mackintosh has joined Lindsays in Perth after spending almost four years as a solicitor with the Scottish government. The Law Society of Scotland-accredited specialist in child law is also the first new partner to be appointed by Lindsays in Perth since it moved into the city through its me

Clear legal rules outlining the use of the sperm and eggs of those who are incapacitated must remain in place to protect the vulnerable from being involved in fertility treatment without their consent, a new study says. There are strict laws in England and Wales involving the use of reproductive mat

Members of the public are being asked to give their views on how climate change is currently impacting Scotland. A newly-launched public consultation is also seeking views on how to protect and restore nature, improve green spaces in local areas and help prepare businesses for both the risks and the

The Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission has referred the case of Joanne Hughes on behalf of the late Caren Lorimer to the High Court of Justiciary for determination. In 2009, Mrs Lorimer pled guilty at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court to one charge of embezzlement from a post office. The court imposed

The Aberdeen Student Law Review has issued a call for submissions. It is now accepting submissions for Volume XIII – due to be published later this year.

Animal welfare charity OneKind is urging the Scottish government to uphold its commitment to consult on a phase out to farrowing crates for pigs. The Scottish government has committed to consult this year on phasing out cages for laying hens and gamebirds. However, the consultation will not include

New insights from the Aberdeen Solicitors Property Centre (ASPC) have revealed a 3.1 per cent dip in property prices in the city over the past year, amidst this, a positive quarterly rise of 0.5 per cent offers a ray of hope. The Aberdeen Housing Market statistics for the fourth quarter of 2024 were