Weekly roundup of Scots law in the headlines including new rape sentencing guidelines in effect — Monday March 9

This week's review of all the latest headlines from the world of Scots law and beyond includes implementation of new rape sentencing guidelines and arrests in China spying case.

Minimum five-year jail term for rape under new sentencing guidelines

New sentencing guidelines now recommend a minimum five-year prison term for rape, with a higher starting point of seven years for the rape of a young child, reports STV.

The Scottish Sentencing Council’s new guidelines, which cover offences of rape and rape of a young child under the age of 13, were developed following extensive stakeholder engagement and research, culminating in a full public consultation last year.

They were approved at a hearing of the High Court in December and contain sentencing ranges to assist judges with selecting an appropriate sentence, with all options set at long-term custodial sentences.

• Minimum five-year jail term for rape under new sentencing guidelines (STV)
• Rape sentencing guidelines for 5-year minimum term come into effect (The National)
• Rapists to be sentenced for five years minimum as new Scotland guidelines come into force (Glasgow Live)
• New rape sentencing guidelines now in effect (Scottish Legal News)
• Weekly roundup of Scots Law in the headlines including rape sentencing report — Monday November 3 (Journal)

Scots Labour MP's husband among three arrested on suspicion of spying for China

A Scottish Labour MP has denied any involvement in her husband’s business activities after he was among three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China, writes The Scotsman.

• Scots Labour MP's husband among three arrested on suspicion of spying for China (Scotsman)
• Husband of Labour MP among three men arrested on suspicion of spying for China (Sky News)
• [£] Labour MP’s partner arrested on suspicion of spying for China (Telegraph)
• MP not seen anything to suspect husband has 'broken any law', after China spy arrests (BBC)
• [£] U.K. Arrests Labour Lawmaker’s Husband on Accusations of Spying for China (New York Times)
• Third man arrested over ‘spying for China’ is ex-Labour adviser – after MP’s husband & dad-of-3 held by cops (Sun)
• UK Labour MP’s husband arrested in Chinese spying probe (Politico)

And in other news

Legal headlines from across the UK and beyond:

• New by-law to stop people roaming at first Scottish Center Parcs (BBC)
• SNP candidate stands down after benefits fraud claim (BBC)
• What is the legality of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran? (Guardian)
• [£] Scottish Book Trust campaigns for library in every school (Herald)
• Susan Everard: “I Miss The Goodness Of Sarah” (Vogue)
• Solicitor struck off after misleading judge about being abroad during hearing (Legal Cheek)
• Contract bill passed at Holyrood (Scottish Legal News)
• Modernising Scotland's contract law (Scottish Government)
• Meet the vibe lawyers: the AI chatbots wreaking havoc in the justice system (Observer)
• [£] Lawyers argue the case for UK to become a republic (Times)
• I invested in Brewdog in my husband's memory. He would be turning in his grave (BBC)
• [£] Q&A Victoria Sedgwick acted at inquest for Household Cavalry trooper (Times)
• Domestic abuser convicted of killing wife who jumped from bridge (BBC)
• Circumcision classed as potentially harmful practice in new CPS guidance (Guardian)
• The UK scandal of women handcuffed while in labour: ‘I was so shocked when the restraints weren’t removed’ (Guardian)
• [£] Historical Case of the Month: Downfall of a barrister who had affair with his heiress client (Times)
• Ant and Dec win court order to trace 'secret profits' from Banksy deals (BBC)