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As official figures show drug-related deaths in Scotland reaching a new high, the author invites the profession to debate whether decriminalisation of drug use, as in Portugal, is the way forward

A US attorney warns that Scotland has 18 months to legislate new marine mammal protection standards or find the largest export market for Scottish salmon closed for business

This month's selection of leisure reading, chosen by the Journal's book review editor

Reviews of Journal of Elder Law and Capacity; Trials: On Death Row in Pakistan (Buchanan)

Collected news of new appointments and practice changes

Current developments suggest an appetite for greater use of ADR within our civil court processes, and the Society’s Access to Justice Committee hosted a round table to consider the issues

Latest criminal cases, including absolute discharge; racial offences; football-related offences; notes of appeal; omnibus charges; plus comment on the raised presumption against short prison sentences

Employment briefing: the long-established test for determining the severability of words in a restrictive covenant has been overruled and replaced by the UK Supreme Court

CPD latest from the Scottish Paralegal Association

The Word of Gold: the defining quality of all great leaders is their ability to cope well with adversity

Advice column: I recently assisted a colleague with a detailed piece of work, but he has claimed all the credit

Scotland’s Climate Change Bill is driven from the top for practical action on the ground. Is it enough to deliver a Climate-Just Scotland?

One solicitor finds the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland process less than transparent and helpful, and wonders how applications can really be distinguished at the preliminary sift

Family briefing: a rare top-up child aliment claim has met with limited success due to incomplete and inaccurate vouching of “need” – and an adverse finding in expenses

Human rights briefing: the Court of Session has recognised a common law right to privacy in respect of closed Whatsapp group messages, but not for police officers

Pensions briefing: some key developments addressing discrimination in survivors' benefits against same-sex and unmarried couples, and the less generous provision proposed for the public sector

Reports relating to Richard Hutchison; Charles David Jackson; Jacqueline Marie Johnston; Raymond George Mallon; Ruben Valaydon Murdanaigum

The Scottish Law Commission has published its first Discussion Paper on Heritable Securities, on pre-default issues. This briefing explains its scope and the main proposals on which comment is invited

A career in public service has culminated in this month’s in-house interviewee being recently appointed as Solicitor to the Scottish Government

New form sets out steps to take to trace owner of money held

Teams invited to enter Glasgow and Edinburgh October events

Recent work of the Society's policy committees, including online harms; Public Health Scotland; houses in multiple occupation; short-term lets

The Scottish Government's consultation on regulation short-term lets, and the Society's response

In a new collaboration, the Society and Faculty of Advocates will offer CPD guidance on issues arising in relation to agricultural leases