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Despite the welcome decision by the UK Government to abolish the “same roof rule” precluding criminal injuries compensation, questions remain over the extent of the rights of those affected

Two recent sheriff court decisions have explored what is a “qualified creditor” for the purposes of petitioning for a debtor’s sequestration

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

Why are the state forensic laboratory, and the Scottish Government, still holding out against disclosure of scientific data in which the defence has a legitimate interest?

Review of Lord Hope's Diaries: House of Lords 2006-2009

John Laughland became an honorary member in 2002, after 40 years in private practice and 20 with the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal, 10 as chairman

The Presidents Conference of European law societies revealed issues some still face without the rule of law; the four jurisdictions meeting from our islands also shows Scotland’s situation favourably

How Registers of Scotland is continuing to evolve for business users and members of the public

Collected news of new appointments and practice changes

Artificial intelligence is going to impact on legal practice, but how far will the law itself have to adapt? We take up the subject with a leading practitioner as high-profile events explore the issue

A solicitor from the Society’s Public Policy team writes on the need to promote understanding of fatal accident inquiries, of which some high profile hearings are in the pipeline

Comments from the Law Society of Scotland on the main issues covered in its annual report for 2017-18, now available online

Can our judges “Preside with Kindness”? Some have tried; others’ eyes may have been opened by two visiting judges from the USA. The Journal went to hear them speak

Decisions from Queensland under a statute that recognises testamentary wishes recorded in any form, can point the way for Scots law, given modern attitudes to digital over paper communication

In association with Insight Legal Software: understanding the challenges will help you identify the most efficient systems for your needs

An Upper Tribunal decision setting standards of fairness in a social security appeal, in the context of information before the tribunal, has implications for administrative justice generally

Latest criminal cases, including Moorov rule; CCTV evidence; dockets; sentencing

Licensing briefing: the Government has clarified some but far from all of the confusion surrounding the pending personal licence renewal deadline, and at least one vital issue remains unresolved

Planning briefing: does the use of dwellinghouses for short term holiday lets require specific planning consent? The position is unclear in the absence of new legislation or other guidance

Insolvency briefing: the new Scottish rules, in force from 6 April 2019, should be a positive development for the sector as well as bringing the law more into line with that in England & Wales

Tax briefing: HMRC is consulting on extending off-payroll working rules to the private sector, ahead of a shift in responsibility from the contractor to the paying business

Immigration briefing: the Supreme Court has taken a firm line on the approach to a child's “best interests” where a parent faces deportation, but a caveat has left scope for conflicting decisions

Reports relating to Andrew Forman; Aidan Vincent Gallagher; Jacqueline Johnston (s 42ZA appeal); John Gerard O'Donnell; Paul Kevin O'Donnell; John Kevin Quinn

The Property Standardisation Group’s latest model clauses for commercial leases cover the permutations of index-linked rent reviews