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Latest criminal cases, including murder appeals, comparative justice, and dangerous driving, along with a comment on the new guidelines on the sentencing process

An unusual divorce case involving millions of pounds in lottery winnings illustrates the effectiveness of the ancillary powers available to the court under the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985

In affirming the Belgian courts’ decision to order anonymisation of an individual in relation to an offence from which he had been rehabilitated, the ECtHR has strengthened the right to be forgotten

The Dorrian Review on managing serious sexual offence cases in court proposed significant measures which deserve full consideration, but also some that could be introduced in the shorter term

Report relating to Kenneth Stewart Gordon

A new Act of the Scottish Parliament is intended to encourage the use of heat networks to help the drive to cut carbon emissions. But what are they, and how is the legislation intended to work?

Behavioural economics – understanding influences on choices – is something that lawyers can adopt to enhance their negotiating skills, and one in-house legal team is applying it also within the team

The Sheriff Appeal Court has ruled against a claim for statutory interest on unpaid legal aid fees due to solicitors – while commenting that the matter requires legislative attention

After last year’s enforced interruption, the Legal Walks to support Scottish advice charities return next month. This article describes the work of the prime mover, the Access to Justice Foundation

Solicitors should re-examine their systems and procedures to identify risks arising since the pandemic, as it seems that courts and regulators will be unimpressed by excuses related to remote working

Written submissions? Telephone conference? Webex hearing? The author would like to see more standardised practice across Scotland’s sheriff courts, ideally with a mix of all three

The route to success is always a two-way street: collaboration pays handsome dividends

Preaching a positive outlook is all very well – but how do you keep it up day by day?

Advice column: My job had variety before COVID; it’s demotivating without it

Review of Technology, Innovation and Access to Justice (ed De Souza and Spohr)

Keith Hamilton is solicitor and risk manager at The Heineken Company (UK), and convener of the Society's Practising Certificate Committee

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) recently changed to an opt-in hearings process for fitness to practise cases. Here it explains the benefits

A Supreme Court ruling has brought welcome clarity for the construction sector on the drafting and application of liquidated damages clauses, particularly where a contract is terminated

The UK Government's Subsidy Control Bill will provide the post-Brexit successor to EU state aid rules – but marks a less significant shift away from the EU regime than might have been expected

The Supreme Court has revisited the principles in determining actionable loss from professional negligence. The rulings will prove helpful – and underline the importance of terms of business

Special arrangements during COVID for allowing hospitality facilities outdoors have added to, rather than created, contentious issues in this area of licensing law. The author tracks the developments

Children in care have gained new statutory rights designed to keep siblings together and connected. This article explains how these came about, and the impact of bringing an appropriate test case

Two recent cases in the Court of Session illustrate the issues that can arise between executors, and the high threshold for a successful petition for removal

The English High Court has held retrospective amendments to the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations lawful on public interest grounds, to prevent windfalls for outsourcing contractors