News

The practice in Scotland of delaying detainees' access to a lawyer has been condemned for the second time by a Council of Europe committee, which has called for legislation to be amended to secure this right – seven years after it did so the first time. Detained persons are entitled to have a

The implications of Brexit for asylum policy and for vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers in Europe have been highlighted in a new Lords committee report. The most significant implication of UK withdrawal from the EU’s Dublin System – which determines responsibility for asylum applicat

A consultation has been launched on the maximum penalties for the most serious animal welfare and wildlife offences. Holyrood’s Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform Committee is considering proposals to provide further protections to animals and wildlife in Scotland.

New powers of entry and search for police to apprehend a person unlawfully at large from a home detention curfew (HDC) have come into force. A new offence of remaining unlawfully at large has also been introduced through the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2019, which was passed by the S

A solicitor who had sex with a drunk junior colleague, which a tribunal found he did not initiate, has been fined £35,000 and ordered to pay £200,000 in costs amid calls his case be referred to the police. Ryan Beckwith, 41, a partner at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, brought the profes

The Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, will play host on Friday, 25 October, 2019, to one of the most significant debates in recent years on the role of Christianity in Scottish public life. It will tackle the vital questions of Christianity’s relevance to modern society, the use of Christi

FNF Scotland has organised free information sessions on a US online training programme intended to help separated parents to move on from their disputes with their ex-partner. Megan Hunter from the High Conflict Institute in San Diego will talk about its 'New Ways for Families' programme in Glasgow

Ampersand has again received top tier rankings across a number of areas of practice in the latest published guide to the legal profession, Chambers and Partners UK Bar Guide 2020. Ampersand received 60 listings across 16 areas of practice, ranking as top tier (band 1) in Clinical Negligence as a Set

Terra Firma Chambers has retained its Band 1 rankings for Planning and Environmental Law, Agriculture & Rural Affairs and Tax in the latest edition of Chambers & Partners UK Directory. Described as the ‘top choice for planning and environmental work in Scotland’, Terra Firma rema

A round-up of human rights stories from around the world. MSPs write to US Ambassador over Turkish attacks | ANF English

Scotland's national rugby team is considering "legal options" to ensure its World Cup game against host Japan goes ahead in spite of a looming typhoon. Two games have already been cancelled in anticipation of Super Typhoon Hagibis, which is expected to hit Japan this weekend.

An appeal court ruling in a legal action seeking a court order to force the Prime Minister to write a letter requesting a Brexit extension in the event that no deal has been agreed between the UK and the EU has been put on hold. The Inner House of the Court of Session also decided to conti

Lawyers have sounded a note of caution over making fundamental changes to criminal trials following the publication of a report into jury behaviour and the use of the ‘not proven’ verdict. John Scott QC told Scottish Legal News that the research commissioned by the Scottish government &l

Laura Dunlop QC has been named as the new President of the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland. Community safety minister Ash Denham appointed Ms Dunlop to take on the role following a recruitment exercise carried out by the Scottish government.

The UK government is being taken to court over its refusal to hold a fully independent, judge-led inquiry into British involvement in rendition and torture. The legal action is being brought by human rights NGO Reprieve, David Davis MP and Dan Jarvis MP.