News

The vast majority of court users are satisfied with their experience, according to a new survey. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service's (SCTS) Court User Satisfaction Survey measures customer satisfaction in the Supreme Courts, Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Courts and Scottish Land Court.

Professor Peter Watson has been appointed as president of the British Academy of Forensic Sciences (BAFS). Professor Watson takes on the role from Tracy Alexander FKC, director of forensic services for the City of London Police.

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) will explore Scotland’s path to achieving its renewables targets at its annual conference this week. WJM’s seminar will this year focus on the theme ‘Reaching the targets – 2030’.

Four men have been charged in connection with the theft of a solid gold toilet worth £5 million more than four years ago. The fully-functioning 18-carat toilet, named America, was stolen from Blenheim Palace in England days after it was installed as an art piece.

Arbroath FC Community Trust has launched its annual winter clothing collection campaign with the aim of helping even more people across the region. The Cosy Coats initiative sees Arbroath Football Club Community Trust, supported by Thorntons, collect donations of unwanted and unused coats, jackets,

Prison governors have written to MSPs over "significant concerns" about the rising number of inmates in Scotland. Natalie Beal, chair of the Prison Governors’ Association Scotland (PGAS), said staff were under "significant strain" and called for "urgent mitigation".

UNESCO has unveiled an action plan amid a warning that the intensification of disinformation and hate speech online constitutes "a major threat to stability and social cohesion". Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO, said: “Digital technology has enabled immense progress on freedom of sp

UK animal law charity The Animal Law Foundation has sent a legal letter demanding that the Scottish government implement official guidance to protect farmed fish. The initiative aims to address a gap in current protections for farmed fish, including salmon, which are not adequately protected within

At the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, Judge Young imposed a £400 fine on Ian Higgins. Mr Higgins had pled guilty to a contempt of court by refusing to perform the duties required of a juror. The sentencing statement is reproduced below. Contempt of court includes conduct that denotes wilful

The Scottish Legal Aid Board has confirmed that as at 1 June 2023 there were 975 lawyers on the Criminal Legal Aid Register, following a freedom of information request by the Scottish Solicitors Bar Association (SSBA). Of those 975, however, 238 received no payment for criminal legal aid in the year

Gillian Donald has been appointed as a partner at Blackadders in Aberdeen. Ms Donald joins from Brodies LLP and has extensive experience working with clients in the north-east of Scotland.

Police have penalised a teenager for driving a "Booty Patrol" vehicle that looked too similar to a real law enforcement vehicle. Gabriel Luviano, 18, was pulled over in Florida while driving the truck, which says "Booty Patrol" along the side and back and "National Booty Behaviour Protection" on the

A law firm in Dunblane has pledged its support to nine charities by signing up to an annual will-writing campaign. Bartys, a branch of Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM), has been a part of the Will Aid scheme for 27 years, helping raise vital donations every November by writing basic wills

Cullen Kilshaw LLP Solicitors and Estate Agents is to merge with JD Clark & Allan, a long-established firm based in Duns in the Borders. The combined firm will continue to trade under the name of Cullen Kilshaw LLP.

A former sheriff has admitted to making sexual and racist remarks during an online call. Alastair Duff, 69, was director of the Judicial Institute of Scotland until he resigned suddenly in late 2021. He admitted making the remarks at his home in Edinburgh during a WebEx meeting in October 2021.