News

The number of convictions for rape and attempted rape increased by 19 per cent from 186 in 2022-23 to 221 in 2023-24, a new all-time high amongst comparable records which began in 1989-90, the latest criminal proceedings statistics published by Scotland’s chief statistician show. Although the

The public inquiry into the investigation of Emma Caldwell’s murder in April 2005 has been formally set-up and begun work. The statutory inquiry will examine what went wrong in the investigation carried out by Strathclyde Police into the murder of Emma Caldwell, including the direction given b

As the world marks Human Rights Day today, Amnesty International UK says it is a vital moment to reflect on the fact that most people across the country strongly support human rights protections and "believe they matter now more than ever". Recent polling conducted by Savanta for Amnesty Internation

The Law Society of Scotland formally welcomed 137 new solicitors to the profession in back-to-back ceremonies held in central Edinburgh yesterday.

Prison guards have confiscated a feast of steak and crab legs smuggled behind bars as an apparent Christmas treat. The gift package, which also included cigarettes, rolling tobacco and cannabis, was dropped by drone into a prison in South Carolina.

The police watchdog is straining under an exploding workload, with investigations up 375 per cent in 12 years, its commissioner has warned. The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) Laura Paton said that although formal performance targets were still being met, the volume of work had

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP (WJM) has moved to a new office in the heart of Edinburgh. After joining forces with Davidson Chalmers Stewart earlier this year, the firms will now operate from under one roof, joined by the growing complex personal injury team from Irwin Mitchell.

Brodies LLP has appointed new partner Bill Barton and will be opening an office in Leeds to support the growth of its construction practice. Mr Barton has specialised in contentious and non-contentious construction law for over 30 years. With experience across a broad range of sectors, including ind

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has called for further improvements across local authorities in Scotland after warning that many people trying to access their own care records are being let down.  Research from ICO found that people are facing systemic and demoralising challen

Senior prosecutors are warning that puppies bought from illegal breeders as Christmas presents are helping to bankroll serious organised crime gangs. Unlawfully bred dogs sold through a black-market trade on social media or small advert sites have been identified as a significant source of revenue f

New figures from the Scottish Land Commission show Scotland’s rural land market continued to cool in 2024, with fewer large-scale sales and a marked drop in forestry values contributing to a quieter and more varied picture across the country. The Rural Land Market Data Report 2025 tracks activ

More than 100 separate resources have been brought together for the first time to support Scottish public sector organisations in "effectively embedding" equality and human rights in their day-to-day work. The Mainstreaming Toolkit is part of a suite of new publications – including a guiding E

Dr Eddy Wifa and Dr Mitchell Lennan have both been appointed as co-directors of the Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law (AUCEL).  Dr Wifa is a senior lecturer (energy law) at the School of Law, which he joined in 2020 following the completion of his PhD in Marine Renewable Energy Health a

Elon Musk's social media platform X has been fined €120 million by the European Commission for breaches of the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), including over its paid "blue checkmark" system. Originally introduced to verify the identity of high-profile users such as celebrities and journalists,

The FBI has issued a public alert over scammers using AI-generated images to fake kidnappings and extort victims for money. Publicly-available social media pictures provide enough source material for criminals to create "fake proof of life photos in virtual kidnapping for ransom scams", the law enfo