Weekly roundup of Scots law in the headlines — Monday May 25

This week's review of all the latest headlines from the world of Scots law and beyond includes reaction to the news that Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC will be leaving her role as head of the prosecution service.

Scotland's top law officer Dorothy Bain to step down

Scotland's top law officer is stepping down after five years as head of the country's prosecution service, the BBC reports, with her decision restart a conversation about the dual role of the Lord Advocate.

• Scotland's top law officer Dorothy Bain to step down (BBC)

• Dorothy Bain's departure is our chance to scrap the Lord Advocate's dual role – we MUST take it (Scottish Daily Express)

• Bain poised to step down as lord advocate (Scottish Legal News)

• Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain tells First Minister she intends to step down (STV News)

• [£] Lord advocate to stand down as John Swinney shuffles ministers (The Times)

Former chief executive who embezzled charity funds is sentenced

The former chief executive of a leading public heath charity who embezzled £5,000 from its funds during the Covid lockdown has been sentenced, confirms Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

• Former chief executive who embezzled charity funds is sentenced (COPFS)

• Former HIV Scotland boss told to pay £5,000 he embezzled to charity (BBC)

• Embezzling CEO made to pay back cash he stole to charity (TFN)

And in other news

Legal headlines from across the UK and beyond:

• Prison population reaches record high despite 600 early releases in six months (STV News)

• [£] Practising fees soar to cover rising misconduct claims (The Times)

• Four men sentenced for football disorder ahead of 2024 Scottish League Cup Final (COPFS)

• [£] Small law firms eye growth despite difficult economic conditions (The Times)

• [£] Top London barrister evaded nearly £2mn in tax, court told (Financial Times)

• Four men jailed over £6m NHS corruption and bribery have jail terms reduced (STV News)

• [£] Trump administration creates $1.8bn fund for victims of government ‘lawfare’ (FT)

• Man who murdered wife in Edinburgh jailed for life over domestic homicide (COPFS)