News

A judge who posted TikTok videos lip-syncing to rap songs with explicit lyrics while wearing his judicial robes is facing disciplinary action. Judge Gary N. Wilcox, a criminal judge in New Jersey, USA, posted around 40 videos under the alias "Sal Tortorella" over a two-year period from 2021 to 2023,

The historic building home to the Faculty of Advocates in Edinburgh is to be transformed into an aparthotel. GIVB Ltd, a joint venture between Sundial Properties Ltd and aparthotel operator Destiny Scotland Ltd, has had its application to convert 17 George IV Bridge into a nine-unit a

Many urban readers will be unfamiliar with the idea of Muirburn and may indeed be shocked to learn that planned burning of heather and grass moorland occurs every year across rural Scotland, particularly in light of the recent spate of catastrophic wildfires. However, this practice has for centuries

Ronnice Clancy KC takes an expert look at the Rwanda case. There were 55 counsel instructed in the recent English Court of Appeal case in which the UK government’s Rwandan Asylum scheme was held, on a 2-1 split decision, to be unlawful. No wonder the court’s 161-page judgement is a chall

Inksters Solicitors has appointed two more consultant solicitors in its Glasgow office. Gerald Segal, who previously worked for Inksters from 2013 to 2020, is experienced in dealing with all aspects of property law, specialising in residential conveyancing. He has a particular focus on assisting inv

The UK government is taking forward a number of recommendations from the Scottish Affairs Committee's report on firearms licensing regulations in Scotland. In its report, published in December, the cross-party committee of MPs concluded that police forces should not have to foot the bill for firearm

Lawyers at Lindsays are helping to programme the next generation of Scottish computer games creators for blockbuster success. The firm has announced fresh sponsorship for Abertay University’s acclaimed Dare Academy. The annual game design competition, which Lindsays has backed with sponsorship

DLA Piper Scotland has bolstered its senior ranks with promotions in its Edinburgh office. Sarah Letson, finance, projects and restructuring, and Linzi Penman, intellectual property and technology, have both been promoted to partner.

A Bonnybridge couple who sought to establish that their home had been damaged by fungus created by ethanol vapour have been allowed a proof based on amended pleadings seeking to establish that a particular species created the conditions allowing other organisms to damage their home. Thomas Chalmers

Police are on the hunt for an unusual serial thief who has stolen metal grates from dozens of urinals in public parks. At least 37 urinals across 16 parks in the Japanese city of Sapporo have been hit by the thief, whose motivation is unclear, TV station UHB reports.

On Thursday 29 June 2023, the Crown Office’s request to extradite Richard Sharples for serious offences – alleged to have happened in Scotland in September 2021 – called before Mr Justice Paul McDermott in the High Court of Ireland, writes Thomas Ross KC. The application was oppose

The Scottish Sentencing Council has recently produced a report advocating shorter prison sentences even for some serious offences. There would be more emphasis on community-based disposals, such as community payback orders which used to be called community service orders. The report suggest the poss

Gillespie Macandrew has announced the appointment of corporate partner and accredited charity law specialist Alan Gilfillan. Having previously completed his legal traineeship with Gillespie Macandrew, he now re-joins the firm from Balfour and Manson with 13 years’ experience advising busi

Thorntons has announced nine promotions including one legal director, four associates and four senior solicitors. James Brogan is now legal director in private client in Edinburgh and Bonnyrigg. The new associates in Edinburgh are Victoria Wright, intellectual property, and Emma Lawrie, residential

Licensing for businesses such as dog walkers, canine fertility services and dog groomers is being considered to improve animal welfare standards. The Scottish government is seeking views on a proposed licensing scheme, which aims to ensure consistency in standards across the animal care services sec