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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

Westminster taps will run dry tomorrow after parliamentary authorities ordered a ban on alcohol sales due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said there would be no alcohol served in any of the House of Commons bars or restaurants for the "foreseeable future".

A man accused of rape who applied under section 275 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 to admit evidence of the complainer’s character has had his appeal against the preliminary hearing judge’s refusal of his application refused. The appellant, CH, was accused o

Criminal silk Keith Stewart QC is expected to be selected as the next Advocate General for Scotland. Mr Stewart, of Blacks Chambers, has a broad criminal practice and has appeared in cases including Yazdanparast and HMA v Bhomwick. He has also advised in matters relating to intellectual property and

A proposed amalgamation of the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland has been rejected by the Faculty of Advocates. In a submission to ministers, the Faculty said it was concerned that a merger could worsen delays already experienced because of the workload of the two bodies.

Allan McDougall Solicitors has announced the promotion of Sean White to associate. Based in the firm’s central Edinburgh office, Mr White undertakes Court of Session and Sheriff Court litigation, predominantly within the personal injury team.

Lawyers who are physically disabled or have a chronic illness and are entering or who have successfully entered the legal profession are encouraged to participate in a new study. Dundee Law School PhD student Rachael Wallace is undertaking a study which aims to examine whether the Equality Act 2010

With Holyrood’s Local Government and Communities Committee now seeking views on the Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill, having previously dropped the proposed legislation due to a heavy workload, Govan Law Centre (GLC) has welcomed the "unprecedented" move as a "victory for open democracy". GLC, which