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Blogs & opinions

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Journal editorial December 2023

8th December 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion
A farewell message, with many people to thank, on stepping down as editor after 20 years in post

Journal editorial November 2023

8th November 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , human rights | Human rights , EU / international
I support those including the International Bar Association and Barack Obama who call for Israel's response to the Hamas atrocities to align with humanitarian values

Journal editorial October 2023

9th October 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , criminal law
There is legitimate concern that so few complaints of rape lead to a guilty verdict, but the main focus should be on complainers' experience

Journal editorial September 2023

12th September 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , professional regulation
Perceptions are said to be important in considering whether conflicts of interest exist in regulation of the legal profession, but these differ widely in submissions on the bill

Journal editorial August 2023

7th August 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , human rights | Human rights , Environment
We should be alive to the danger of letting dubious arguments for freedom prevent necessary measures against climate change

Journal editorial July 2023

12th July 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , criminal law
Troubles continue for Scots criminal defence lawyers, now added to by problems delivering custody accused to court in a system under strain

Journal editorial May 2023

9th May 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , professional regulation , criminal law
For different reasons, the bills on regulation of legal services and on justice reform could each result in a trial of strength between the Society and the Scottish Government

Journal editorial April 2023

11th April 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , civil litigation | Civil court work
Crowdfunded litigation is probably here to stay, and if properly organised has a legitimate role in holding Government and other large organisations to account

Journal editorial March 2023

14th March 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , immigration , government-administration
The UK Government is regrettably showing disregard for lawyers and the rule of law through its Illegal Migration Bill and rhetoric with it

Journal editorial February 2023

14th February 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion
Widening access to the profession remains a desirable goal – but any form of exclusion is unfair

Journal editorial January 2023

9th January 2023 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , professional regulation
The decision on the future of legal services regulation places considerable trust in professional bodies; they should embrace the challenge

Journal editorial December 2022

5th December 2022 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , practice management
Many solicitors are feeling cost of living pressures too, adding to workplace stress, and now is the time to ensure a supportive workplace

Journal editorial November 2022

8th November 2022 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , government-administration
The squeeze on public spending is likely to mean difficult times ahead for the justice budget, with potential impact on the profession

Journal editorial October 2022: Changed spots?

11th October 2022 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , human rights
With or without the British Bill of Rights Bill, the profession should look out for acts by the Truss Government that may limit human rights

Journal editorial August 2022: Crisis beyond cost?

9th August 2022 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion
The scale of the looming cost of living crisis due to energy price rises and other pressures could overwhelm the societal fabric on which many of our rights depend, without radical action

Journal editorial June 2022: The big freeze

14th June 2022 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , criminal law , government-administration
The announced freeze on spending in the justice sector will worsen the existing crisis, and something will have to give

Journal editorial October 2021

12th October 2021 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , planning/environment | Environment
Legal rights and climate change are intimately interlinked, and lawyers can expect to be increasingly called on to advise on related matters

Journal editorial September 2021

14th September 2021 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion , civil litigation | Civil court work
The draft rules for holding civil court hearings remotely go further than may feel comfortable with – is there a justification?

Journal editorial August 2021

10th August 2021 | By: Peter Nicholson | criminal law , opinion
Plans to cut criminal case backlogs need proper consultation with defence lawyers – and a drive to make best use of their time

Journal editorial May 2021

10th May 2021 | By: Peter Nicholson | criminal law , opinion | Criminal court work
After featuring in the election campaign the future of the not proven verdict is in doubt – but are there alternatives to simple abolition?

Journal editorial August 2020

10th August 2020 | By: Peter Nicholson | opinion
Alleviating the impact of COVID-19 would be a better use of Holyrood's time between now and the election than the Hate Crime Bill

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