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Two new co-directors have been appointed to the Aberdeen University Centre for Energy Law (AUCEL), an energy-oriented research and educational institute based at the University of Aberdeen. Dr Thomas L Muinzer, senior lecturer in energy transition law and Dr Daria Shapovalova, lecturer in law, have

TrustLaw, the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global pro bono legal service, is to host a free-to-attend virtual event focused on helping Scottish lawyers develop their skills and understanding in delivering pro bono legal work, in partnership with the law firm CMS. The Legal Roundtable: Strength

Sales of £1 million-plus homes have surged across the UK, with two-thirds more deals agreed in the past four months than in the same period last year. Scotland, where the top of the market is now on an upward trajectory, is playing catch up reflecting the late post lockdown re-opening of the m

A senior Brazilian politician was found with cash stuffed in his underpants when police raided his house in connection with the alleged theft of Covid-19 funds. Senator Chico Rodrigues, an ally of President Jair Bolsonaro, resigned as the government's deputy leader in the senate after the embarrassi

A man convicted of raping a woman who appealed against his conviction on the basis that the trial judge had erred in allowing certain evidence has had the appeal refused.  Michael Whorlton argued that the evidence should have been excluded as it constituted inadmissible hearsay, its admitt

The UK government's Internal Market Bill is "contrary to the rule of law" and risks destabilising the UK's constitutional settlement, a Lords committee has said. In its report on the bill, which it said is "without precedent", the Constitution Committee added that the government has given no "satisf

Proposed legislation giving undercover police and MI5 agents explicit permission to commit criminal offences has passed its third reading in the House of Commons by a huge margin. The Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) (Criminal Conduct) Bill was approved by 313-98 after the defeat of a number

A lawyer who admitted he found a young girl's evidence in a sexual abuse case "titillating" has been struck off by the Scottish Solicitors' Discipline Tribunal (SSDT). Kevin MacPherson, 45, formerly a solicitor at a law firm in Stornoway, was reported after sending another solicitor, Ms D, mess

Lord Glennie’s opinion in the recent ‘CH’ appeal ([2020] HCJAC 43) highlights a conflict of judicial thinking, and legal opinion in general, with respect to the Scottish rape shield. Could it be that the real issue is a fundamental lack of trust in the ability of a jury to reach a

The UK's pubs regulator has issued its first fine, of £2 million, against Edinburgh-headquartered Star Pubs & Bars. The Pubs Code Adjudicator (PCA) made the fine after it found serious and repeated breached of the code over three years.

Over 500 SMEs have joined action against Clydesdale Bank and National Australia Bank (NAB) as RGL Management Limited (RGL) issues a third wave of High Court claims over the banks’ tailored business loans. RGL yesterday filed a further tranche of claims in the ongoing group action against

The freedom of health professionals to speak during the Covid-19 pandemic is the subject of a free webinar to be broadcast from the Signet Library in Edinburgh featuring a roster of top speakers.

The 16-day lockdown across the central belt has ushered in an almighty hangover for drinkers, diners and licensed trade operators alike, writes Audrey Ferrie. Pub and restaurant owners in large swathes of Scotland have been forced to call last orders again, to wipe down the bar counter and to put th

Members and staff, and friends of the Faculty of Advocates are being asked to make an extra special effort with this year’s Christmas collection to bring desperately needed cheer to vulnerable families. The Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the circumstances of many families, who feared that the

The next event in CLT Scotland’s Scots Law 2020 Conventions Series will be taking place online from 23rd-27th November with delegates able to choose from 10 individual conferences. Roy Spiers, CLT Scotland’s director of programmes, said: “We are delighted to take the Conventions Se