News

An association aimed at improving the experience of women at the Scottish bar has been established. “The theme of this year’s UN International Women’s Day is 'Invest in women: Accelerate progress'. This is a timely moment to announce publicly the establishment of Women at the bar &

Corey Beaton considers the progress women in law have made and the barriers that still remain for them. When we consider the gender balance of our lecture halls, it is hard to imagine a time when women were not permitted to study the law, nor indeed to go on and practise it, yet it has only been jus

The Law Society of Scotland has unveiled a new logo coinciding with its 75th anniversary. Diane McGiffen, chief executive of the Law Society of Scotland, said: "I’m delighted to be launching our new look in our 75th year. The Law Society plays a key role for our members and the people, busines

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. In Lydd, Palestinians fear tinderbox of Israel’s war, threat of expulsion

Police are on the hunt for a man who allegedly entered a shop and dunked his entire head into a large barrel of pickles. The act was spotted on CCTV cameras and meant the entire barrel of pickles had to be discarded.

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) and Irwin Mitchell toasted their partnership at an event held at WJM’s Glasgow office on Tuesday. Attendees spent the evening with British Athletics superstars Callum Hawkins, Jemma Reekie and Maria Lyle.

Pinsent Masons has boosted its energy property team in Aberdeen as an increasing number of traditional oil and gas companies look to transition into renewable energy. Partner Rona Kostulin is now based at the firm’s Queen’s Road offices, bringing a wealth of experience of advising on the

The Scottish Law Commission’s annual report for 2023 has been published. The report outlines progress on the commission’s law reform work during 2023. It explains the commission’s work to promote law reform, notes the implementation to date of the commission’s recommendations

The latest quarterly criminal court figures show progress in Sheriff solemn backlogs. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service statistical bulletin is published today and provides data on criminal cases. This bulletin covers the period Quarter 3 2023/24 (October - December).

The Edinburgh Law School team participating in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition will be hosting a demonstration followed by a drinks reception later this month. The Jessup is the world’s largest and most prestigious international law competition. Centred aroun

Peter Kinghorn discusses how the late Professor Ian Willock's hard work and vision helped thousands of people in Dundee. We read with interest the article in Scottish Legal News about the Ian Willock Collection rightly dedicated to the sterling work done by Professor Willock, particularly in th

A Conservative peer has agreed to pay substantial damages as part of a settlement with a PhD student who she baselessly accused of spreading antisemitism while appearing on University Challenge. Baroness Jacqueline Foster made absurd claims on X, formerly Twitter, about a toy octopus chosen as the m

Dear Editor, One of the reasons why advocates are personally responsible for what they say in court, is that it hardly bolsters an argument if one is too ashamed to put one’s name to it.

US prosecutors have charged a man who allegedly sent classified information through a dating website to someone who claimed to be a Ukrainian woman and referred to him as her "secret informant love". David Franklin Slater, a 63-year-old civilian employee of the US Air Force, has been charged with al

Freeths has established a new commercial dispute resolution team in Scotland with the appointment of director Alan McDonald, who joins from CMS. Mr McDonald will head up the new litigation service based in the firm’s Glasgow office. He has over 12 years’ experience advising on contentiou