Blogs & opinions

When the going gets tough
Keeping going in this month's weather sort of sums up the year

Supreme Court proves its worth
Another human rights decision shows the court's ability to see the bigger picture

Time to think pro bono
Winter weather "good neighbour" stories set background for LawWorks launch

Rights: the new frontier
Can we release the "untapped potential" of the Convention?

Vice Presidential candidate manifestos for 2011-12
Personal statements by Oliver Adair, Austin Lafferty and David Newton ahead of poll by Council members

Assisted death for Margo's bill
Debate raises questions of whether law can be made to work

Council confidential
Outcomes from the leak saga

Open letter to the President of the Law Society of Scotland on media policy
Call to withdraw proposed media protocol in the interests of open government

Cadder v HMA – a political inconvenience?
The Cadder decision should be welcomed as one that supports justice, whatever our politicians may think

Hard questions
Various topics this week call for a careful look before decisions are made

Trampled by the black horse
Are the Lloyds conveyancing panel cuts really in anyone's best interests, even theirs?

SLAS response to the Lloyds Banking Group panel cuts
Advice to solicitors on how to respond, and how to appeal if affected

Rights, but not as we know them
Committee on Patient Rights Bill raises questions as to the purpose of legislation

Criminal Procedure (Legal Assistance, Detention and Appeals) (Scotland) Bill
Glasgow Bar Association briefing to MSPs

Undermined, or strengthened?
Is Scots law losing out because of the devolution settlement?

The half-baked doughnuts saga
The real questions for discussion over the Access to Justice Committee's SLAB plan?

The joke's over
Time to bring a dose of realism to health and safety issues

The bill in retrospect
Don't lose sight of the bigger picture

Home reports: questions remain
There seems to be more to the initial evaluation than the Government press release suggests

Comment on the Agricultural Holdings Acts consultation
Government proposes amending order covering 1991 and 2003 Acts

Standing up for democracy
A defence to some recent accusations

Effect of the Akzo judgment
"Premature to legislate" on ABS pending Supreme Court judgment in Prudential tax appeal

Time to address E&T funding
Pressures to contribute will grow

Opening up justice
Committee's ambitious plans deserve support