Coronavirus

A QC has suggested a roving High Court would be a solution to dealing with the backlog of criminal cases. Appearing before Holyrood's Justice Committee, Ronnie Rennuci QC, president of the Scottish Criminal Bar Association, said a solution to the stalemate would be “putting the High Court back

A new book by an academic at Edinburgh Law School is to be launched at a virtual event this month. The People in Question: Citizens and Constitutions in Uncertain Times, by Professor Jo Shaw, will be launched at an event chaired by Professor Neil Walker.

Criminals are exploiting the coronavirus pandemic and playing on the fears of businesses and the public, Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce has heard. Organised crime groups are now focussing on targeting those most vulnerable at home and in the care sector, including:

Nicola Ross explains the details of new legislation aimed at helping ailing businesses.  The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill was read in UK Parliament at the end of May and is likely to be welcomed by many struggling businesses which are facing potential insolvency due to coronavirus.

Changes to Scotland’s lockdown restrictions were confirmed yesterday by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. While some outdoor activity restrictions will ease as of Friday, the public are still urged to stay at home as much as possible and maintain strict physical distancing when outdoors.

A group of MPs has called on the UK government to establish an expert committee detailing legal guidance on fairly dealing with legal claims arising out of the pandemic. Led by Dr Philippa Whitford MP, the SNP's health spokesperson, the group is working with medical defence organisation MDDUS.

From 8 June 2020, anyone entering the UK (whether as a resident or a visitor) will have to self-isolate for 14 days under new government rules. Elaine McIlroy details the latest rules and how they affect employers. Please note that the rules are reviewed every three weeks. Requirement to provid

The Scottish arm of insolvency and restructuring trade body R3 has issued an eight-point checklist to help owner/managers across the region deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on their businesses. The organisation’s members, who include insolvency practitioners, lawyers, and

The Housing and Property Chamber has extended its postponement of case management discussions (CMDs) and scheduled hearings until July 9 at the earliest. A date of May 28 was originally set back in March as part of the measures required to manage the COVID-19 outbreak.

High Court jury trials are to restart in July, the Lord Justice Clerk, Lady Dorrian has announced. Lady Dorrian is leading a working group with representatives from across the justice sector on recommencing jury trials during the lockdown.

ESPC has highlighted how the Scottish property market might move forward after the coronavirus lockdown measures have been eased.

Scot Dignan has become the first lawyer in the history of the WS Society to be admitted as a Writer to the Signet remotely. Mr Dignan, who is a legal inspector with HM Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland, prosecutor, PhD candidate at the University of Strathclyde and a former Lord Hope Scho

A prosecutor has resigned after visiting the home of a journalist in Tokyo to play mahjong during Japan's lockdown. Hiromu Kurokawa, 63, head of the Tokyo High Public Prosecutors Office, gambled with the reporters, according to weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun, in violation of the state-of-emergency m

The Scottish Parliament has unanimously supported new emergency coronavirus measures. The Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill, now passed by Parliament, gives powers to Scottish ministers to temporarily intervene and manage care home services where there is a serious risk to the life, health or wellb

Rachel Walker, solicitor and associate at the Legal Services Agency, discusses the provisions for vulnerable adults in the coronavirus legislation. The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 came into force on 7 April 2020. This legislation has received significant attention in the Scottish