Practice
Laying down the law — Does Scotland have a problem writing legislation?
In the first article in a three-part series, Peter Ranscombe cuts through the noise of political debate to ask if Scotland has a problem crafting legislation.
Glasgow's Union Corner inferno should serve as lesson to all about who pays to rebuild
Craig Donnelly explores why Glasgow’s Union Street fire should serve as warning to owners and tenants to review who bears responsibility for repairs and rebuilding.
Get tickets for JUSTICE Scotland's Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law in Scotland event
JUSTICE Scotland is hosting two events in Edinburgh on Monday 16 March, jointly titled Rights, Justice and the Rule of Law in Scotland.
Baby Reindeer, stalking and why the reality is so much worse
Educating, supporting and protecting young people from stalking and online harms. By Dr Robert McLean, Dr Maria Sapouna and Dr Karen Cooper.
UK trusts swept into expanding global tax crackdown as new reporting rules bite
The UK’s trust sector is facing a significant escalation in reporting obligations as new international transparency rules come into force, drawing many previously unaffected structures into the regulatory net for the first time.
Black box justice is not inevitable — Marina Danielyan on AI, fairness and the future of legal practice
Ahsan Mustafa in conversation with international and European law specialist Marina Danielyan.
Meet Scotland's six new employment judges appointed by Lord President
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has announced the appointment of six new employment judges across Scotland by the Lord President.
Risks for Scottish solicitors when advising on Additional Dwelling Supplement (ADS)
Although it has been part of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax landscape for nearly a decade, ADS continues to cause difficulty for practitioners and clients alike.
We're on our way! From World Cup misery to happiness, will Scotland's licensing boards extend hours?
With Scotland taking to the pitch in the FIFA World Cup this summer, will Scottish licensing boards show their support by granting extended opening hours?
Generative AI in Scottish law schools — A letter from the Heads of School
Scottish law schools say they’re not AI stragglers but careful adopters of the technology — pushing back against criticism they argue overlooks years of teaching, research and innovation.
Proposal not a prophecy — When legal AI becomes default
Legal AI is not going to “arrive” one day. It may settle — quietly, by default — inside the tools we already use. And if that happens, the question won’t be which product you chose. It will be which platform chose you.
Why Scotland is weighing bold expansion of group proceedings five years on
2025 marked five years since the introduction of group proceedings (known in some jurisdictions as ‘class actions’) in Scotland.
Speaking truth to power – Why Heriot-Watt’s new centre could help advocate for brewers and distillers
As well as helping distilleries and breweries to reach net zero, a new university centre could also become a voice for pragmatic advocacy within the drinks industry, writes Peter Ranscombe.
Keeping power in check — Judicial review, parliamentary sovereignty and the rule of law in the UK
Emma Wills examines the role of judicial review in sustaining the rule of law within the UK’s uncodified constitutional framework.
'Deeply unfair' charge on conveyancers dropped after pressure on UK Finance
A planned charge on conveyancers has been dropped after pressure from all three UK Law Societies.
Weekly roundup of Scots law in the headlines including Scottish hospital deaths — Monday 2 February
This week's review of all the latest headlines from the world of Scots Law and beyond includes growing controversy around deaths at a leading Scottish hospital and the head of Rape Crisis Scotland stepping down.
'Breathing space' — 13% legal aid rise is lifeline for justice but more needed, say campaigners
Access to justice in Scotland has received a major boost, with a 13% increase in all legal aid fees secured after a sustained campaign from the Law Society of Scotland.
Net zero and the next steps for the legal profession - practical guidance
The climate emergency we face has led many nations to take steps to reduce carbon emissions and promote environmental protection and integrity. Scotland is no different. In view of the drive towards “net zero”, we consider some of the practical risk management considerations for lawyers in this age of environmental conscience and sustainable drafting.
Parenthood lacuna revealed as trans man required to adopt own children
Caroline Smith looks at transgender parenthood within the current legal framework
AI and the Virtues of the Lawyer
Dr Corsino San Miguel explores Aristotelian virtues as a way of understanding what must endure if legal practice is to excel rather than erode.
Six-step 'roadmap to justice' revealed by Law Society of Scotland ahead of Scottish election
The Law Society of Scotland has published its priorities ahead of the upcoming Scottish Parliament election, focusing on six key areas to boost prosperity and provide for fairness and justice for all.
Fighting fake Scotch — How solicitors protect Scotland’s national drink around the globe
Peter Ranscombe visits the Scotch Whisky Association to learn how the trade body’s team defends the amber nectar at home and abroad.
'Need has never been greater' — Huge £3.9 million grant scheme for legal advice organisations announced
The Access to Justice Foundation has announced a new £3.9 million grants programme that will support advice organisations in Scotland, Wales, the Southeast of England, and London.
When an invoice is not a contract — Offer, acceptance and commercial reality in Scots law
Ahsan Mustafa explores a common commercial litigation dispute through the lens of a recent sheriff court case.