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An emergency hardship fund has been established for barristers to support junior lawyers in financial distress as many do not qualify for the UK government's coronavirus support scheme. The Barristers’ Benevolent Association has created the fund and the four Inns of Court are making packages t

For over two centuries and through two World Wars the Signet Library has never closed its doors, except for Christmas Day, New Year and other holidays. Robert Pirrie WS, chief executive of the WS Society, reflects on the temporary shuttering of this exceptional place in the time of the COVID-19 pan

The death penalty can be handed down for the theft or destruction of manhole covers, Chinese judges have been told. A statement from the country's top legal and judicial bodies reminds judges that suspects can be charged with "endangering transportation" or "endangering public safety", which have a

Former Thorntons chairman Jack Robertson has passed away at the age of 71. Mr Robertson was born in Dundee and studied law at Dundee University. He was admitted as a solicitor in 1972 and joined Fergusson, Robertson, Stephen and Norrie, becoming a partner in 1976. The firm became Thorntons following

A man who petitioned for judicial review of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 after being issued with a £40 fixed penalty notice has had his appeal against the refusal of his petition refused. Jordan Queen was issued the penalty by a police officer in 2016 when he was 16 y

The detrimental impact of COVID-19 and the lockdown measures imposed on people across Scotland is to be investigated by MSPs. The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee is gathering views to inform an inquiry into the effects of the virus and the response to it by the Scot

COVID-19 is presenting challenges for the construction sector in many areas, but the marked differences between the approach in Scotland and England is causing significant confusion amongst UK businesses, write Angela Grahame QC and Murdo MacLeod QC. Businesses are already struggling to comply

A consortium of Scottish businesses is to seek judicial review of the Scottish government’s COVID-19 Business Grant Scheme amid increasing concerns that a failure to match Westminster’s economic support will lead to the demise of a string of retail and hospitality chains.

Andre Boyle has been awarded accredited legal technologist status by the Law Society of Scotland. Mr Boyle is head of technology at Millar & Bryce, the property search and information specialists. He becomes the first person from a non-traditional law firm to receive the accreditation in recogni

Macdonald Henderson has advised EHC Energy Limited, the distributor of electric heating and hot water products, on the employee buyout of the company from existing shareholders/directors, Bill Walters and David Stevenson. The transaction was supported by acquisition finance from Clydesdale Bank.

Addleshaw Goddard's Scottish offices have selected Rock Trust as their charity partner for the next two years following a colleague vote. Rock Trust is one of Scotland’s leading youth-specific homelessness charities for 16-25-year-olds. It believes accommodation, support, education and employm

Three alleged IRA members who were convicted of training Colombian rebels in bomb-making have been granted an amnesty. The "Colombia Three" fled to Ireland shortly before they were sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment for training FARC guerillas.

The right to work from home could be enshrined in law in Germany later this year, according to reports. Hubertus Heil, the federal minister for labour and social affairs, told Bild am Sonntag that he would bring forward legislation in autumn.

A couple of months ago, the biggest issues William Grant and Sons general counsel Greg Bargeton had to deal with were enforcing the company’s intellectual property rights and coming up with ways to prepare the business for whatever Brexit might throw at it. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit an

If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers.