News

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. US slaps sanctions on top Chinese, Hong Kong officials for rights abuses

World leaders should look to existing international law on the use of force to address the threat of space becoming ever more militarised, a new study argues. Space has the potential to be a source and place of armed conflict and regulating military activities in space is of pressing international c

Buskers who poorly perform the same songs again and again are effectively carrying out "psychological torture" and must be stopped, a judge has said. The City of London Magistrates' Court this week ordered Westminster Council to take stronger action against buskers in Leicester Square, the BBC repor

Pinsent Masons has announced its latest round of partner promotions, with 24 set to join its partnership on 1 May. In addition to four Scotland-based lawyers promoted to partner, a further seven have stepped up to legal director.

Scullion LAW has announced the promotion of Aimee Holmes from administrator to legal clerk in the road traffic and criminal law team.  Kris Buchanan, head of the road traffic and criminal law team, said: "Aimee has shown remarkable dedication and growth since joining our team. Her promotion to

TLT has become one of the founding partners of the UK’s first accreditation scheme designed to set new benchmarks for family-friendly workplaces.  The firm has also been awarded the accreditation itself following the certification process.

A new article on the recent English Court of Appeal decision in King Crude Carriers SA v Ridgebury November LLC looks at Scots law's influence south of the border. "As Alexandra Braun has noted, academic consideration of Scots law has tended to focus either on whether the particular hybrid of Roman

Judges in England and Wales have been instructed not to tolerate defendants bringing their pets into court on the basis they are "emotional support animals". The Judicial College has told courts across the jurisdiction that equality law only requires them to admit bona fide assistance animals such a

Thorntons is celebrating the first anniversary of its Inverness office.

The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has given evidence to Holyrood's Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee on its report on progress to end detention of people with learning disabilities and autism. Published in January 2025, the commission's findings indicate that people with

On 28 March University of Strathclyde Mediation Clinic held its 5th Annual Conference, “Growing mediation, your practice and beyond.” The online event was a great success, attracting over 70 delegates from across the UK and overseas. It featured an array of leaders in the field of mediat

A man who murdered his wife following a violent attack at their home has been jailed for life. Walter Buchanan, 66, was found guilty of killing Darrel Odhiambo following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow on 22 January.

Shoosmiths has become the first major law firm to link a firmwide bonus to the use of AI by its workforce.  The firm has set an annual target of one million Microsoft Copilot prompts which, once made, will unlock a £1 million bonus pot for staff in its new financial year.

The head of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has called for the abolition of crown immunity, the legal principle that legislation does not normally apply to the state. Teresa Medhurst said the SPS should be at risk of criminal prosecution over deaths in custody.

French legal bodies and government ministers have condemned threats and insults targeting the judge who convicted and sentenced far-right leader Marine Le Pen. Ms Le Pen was found guilty on Monday of embezzlement for her role in a scheme which saw European parliamentary funds used to finance her pol