News

Judges are being urged to reflect on the risk of perceived bias before agreeing to speak at barristers' chambers or law firms. The suggestion comes as part of the revised guidelines on judicial conduct issued this week.

DNA testing to identify anti-social dog owners who don't pick up their pets' business is to be rolled out in a French town. Béziers, a town of around 75,000 people in southern France, announced the measure after complaints about the amount of dog poo on the town streets.

Andy Drane looks at the emerging trend of large corporations partnering with landowners to finance carbon offset projects as part of their efforts to reach net zero emissions, and discusses the opportunities, risks, and considerations involved for the landowners. Most landowners will fully recognise

Black Chambers has announced the return of Michael Meehan KC to defence practice after six years in Crown Office as a full-time senior advocate depute. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2019. Between 2019 and 2023, he was the lead senior advocate depute for health and safety cases.

Brian Inkster, CEO of Inksters Solicitors, is encouraging his fellow solicitors to respond to the call for evidence on the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill. Mr Inkster lodged his response to the Equalities, Human Rights & Civil Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament yesterday.

Macdonald Henderson has co-advised (with PwC Société d’Avocats and Freshfields) Stock Spirits Group on the Scottish legal elements of the acquisition of Clan Campbell Blended Scotch Whisky brand from Pernod Ricard.

An independent migrants’ commissioner would stand up for the rights of people who have moved to an independent Scotland, according to the Scottish government. The latest Building a New Scotland prospectus paper, which focuses on citizenship in an independent Scotland, sets out how a commission

With the new school year fast approaching, the Burness Paull Foundation joined staff from across the firm for its annual school uniform appeal, donating new school clothing, schoolbags and stationery to three fantastic organisations helping families in our communities. As well as donations of much n

A Californian family that made millions by recycling cans and bottles now faces numerous felony charges which could lead to substantial prison sentences. State prosecutors filed a felony complaint this month charging eight family members in Riverside County with defrauding the state. They allegedly

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its annual report on work-related ill-health and injury statistics for the period ending 2022/23. The report states that work-related fatalities rose in 2022, increasing by 10 per cent to 123. 26 of those deaths occurred in Scotland. Once again, the

Jane Malcolm has been appointed as the new chair of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission. Ms Malcolm has a strong track record of strategic leadership in professional regulation, working in the public interest. She has a particular interest in consumer centred services and policy, with a sharp f

Sheriffs across Scotland make decisions every day in contact/residence cases that will affect the lives of children not just for this month or this year but will influence their relationships for the rest of their life. Their decisions are made ‘in the best interests of the child’. But h

The Edinburgh office of Brodies LLP has become the first project in Scotland to achieve WELL certification at the platinum level by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), in recognition of its health and wellbeing considerations for colleagues and visitors.

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. UN human rights chief tells Israel to ‘heed the calls’ of anti-overhaul protesters

Kennedys has reported record revenue of £313 million for the financial year 2022/23. This represents an 11 per cent increase on the previous financial year and is the first time the firm’s revenue has topped £300m. The most significant growth came in North America and Bermuda, wher