News

The Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Roddy Dunlop QC, has complained to the UK government about Home Office allegations of abuse of court process by immigration lawyers. Mr Dunlop said: “Suggesting widespread abuse when there is absolutely no evidence of that at all is not only unhelpful, it

The Scottish Arbitration Centre has announced that Lord Glennie will replace Brandon Malone as chair of the board of the centre when Mr Malone steps down after ICCA Edinburgh next year. He will be joined by three other new directors, including Mary Thomson who will become vice chair when Lord G

The Scottish Solicitors Benevolent Fund has seen a 50 per cent increase in applicants seeking assistance, due to the financial pressures faced by solicitors in meeting the levy charged by the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC), the fund's secretary has said. The fund provides assistanc

There were 36 evidence led trials in the High Court in the latest quarter and no adjournments due to lack of court time, new figures show. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service quarterly statistical bulletin contains figures on activity in all High, Sheriff, Justice of the Peace and criminal app

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has found that the fact that the Minister for Justice in Iceland selected a judge for appointment, in favour of candidates shortlisted by an independent evaluation panel, without providing sufficient reasons, meant that the judicial app

Sheriff and jury trials in Scotland restarted this week and the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has published a series of advisory videos for jurors, witnesses and professionals participating in trials operating at remote jury centres.

Enforcement of evictions from rented properties will be halted in Scotland for a six week period until mid-January. Regulations will be introduced that will prevent eviction orders being brought between 11 December and 22 January, with the exception of cases of serious anti-social behaviour.

The Scottish Young Lawyers' Association (SYLA) is hosting a virtual house party on 17 December in aid of charity. The price of a ticket is £5 and all money raised will be donated to The Trussell Trust, a charity that works to end the need for food banks in the UK.

Dozens of court buildings that were marked for closure will remain open after the UK government backtracked on a cost-cutting plan to sell 77 premises, The Times reports. Last September, court officials said they expected to sell the buildings by 2026.

A mayor who flew off on holiday by private jet urged residents to stay at home – in a video recorded from a beach resort. Steve Adler, leader of Austin, Texas, has become the latest politician to be accused of Covid-19 hypocrisy. He went to Mexico after telling people to stay indoors amid risi

The English High Court of Justice has ruled that children aged 15 or younger would be unlikely to be able to give effective consent to the administration of puberty-blocking drugs (PBs), but those aged 16 and over would have the ability to consent to their use. The claimants, listed on the

Gillespie Macandrew has seen turnover increase by eight per cent after the expansion of two of its teams this year. Turnover rose from £13 million in 2019 to £14m in the year to February 29, 2020, The Courier reports.

Senator of the College of Justice Lord Glennie has retired. Lord Glennie was appointed a judge of the Supreme Courts in 2005 and to the Inner House in 2016.

Vick Ward discusses proposed changes to the role of Companies House. The government’s recent response to the consultation on options to enhance the role of Companies House and increase the transparency of UK corporate entities focused on a plan to reform the powers Companies House has in regar

There are early signs that the Edinburgh property market is starting to slow down following the post-lockdown boom, making it more attractive for house hunters and first-time buyers, according to a city estate agency. Haymarket-based Purdie & Co Solicitors and Estate Agents reports that some pro