News

The costs of the malicious prosecution scandal have reached almost £40 million, accounts from the Scottish government show. Compensation payments in the millions were made after a number of people involved in the administration and acquisition of Rangers became victims of the Crown Office.

Ken Swinton, author of the Scottish Law Agents’ Society's response to the Scottish government's consultation on the regulation of the legal profession, notes the importance of an independent judiciary, which requires “that there must be an independent legal profession to ensure appr

Gordon Lindhurst has rejoined Westwater Advocates. Mr Lindhurst, who is also qualified as a barrister in England, was appointed an advocate depute ad hoc in 2009 and is a visiting lecturer in British court practice at the University of Bonn.

Public bodies will have a legal duty to ‘ask and act’ to prevent homelessness under Scottish government proposals. Representing the biggest change to Scotland’s homelessness legislation in almost a decade, the measures would be part of new laws aimed at preventing homelessness

The 4,000 people accused and executed for witchcraft in Scotland are to receive a posthumous pardon after the Scottish government lent its support to the move. Claire Mitchell QC leads Witches of Scotland, which has campaigned for a pardon, a government apology and an official monument for the victi

A comprehensive and cost-free checklist to check a property’s title when buying a domestic property is the winner of this year’s Innovation Cup. Ashley Swanson, a solicitor in Aberdeen, impressed the judges with his proposal of a manual checklist for use by practitioners undertaking prop

Law firm closures due to failures to obtain insurance have risen sixfold in five years, according to a new report. Researchers said 65 law firms in England and Wales shut shop in the year to September 2020 – as compared with 11 in 2016-17.

Esson & Aberdein is helping to spread some festive cheer by providing season tickets to Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT) participants to access all remaining matches at Pittodrie this season.

Scotland's long-running police drama Taggart had a pivotal role to play in the career choice of Emma Forbes, principal procurator fiscal depute with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). It was while watching an episode with her family when she was still at school that she first he

A man who lifted his sleeping ex-girlfriend's eyelids to unlock her phone with facial recognition and steal her money has been jailed. The Chinese man, only identified by his surname Huang, met his ex-girlfriend under the false pretence that they would discuss his repayment of debts from their relat

Two life prisoners who were prohibited from making inter-prison phone calls to each other have lost a challenge against a Lord Ordinary’s decision to refuse their judicial review petition against the prohibition. It was argued by the Scottish Ministers that the petition of Charles O’Neil

The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has published revised guidance for court and tribunal users who need to come to its buildings; the arrangements for business in the Supreme Courts; and guidance for Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Courts users. The changes will come into effect on Monday 20

The Scottish Law Commission has today published a second discussion paper consulting on reform of the law of securities granted over land and buildings in Scotland. Heritable securities, often referred to as 'mortgages', are essential to the economy. Without them, many people could not afford to buy

13 January 2022, 5:15pm - 6:15pm Virtual, via Microsoft TeamsThe UK Supreme Court is hosting a webinar on career pathways to becoming a justice. The event aims to provide early and mid-career legal professionals with an opportunity to learn more about the appointment process and what it takes to bec

John Stuart Forbes, sheriff at Dunfermline for 22 years, has passed away at the age of 85. "During his time on the bench, Sheriff Forbes, known as Stuart, had to deal with the wave of crime caused by drug addiction.