Blogs & opinions
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Journal editorial October 2023
There is legitimate concern that so few complaints of rape lead to a guilty verdict, but the main focus should be on complainers' experience
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Journal editorial July 2023
Troubles continue for Scots criminal defence lawyers, now added to by problems delivering custody accused to court in a system under strain
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Journal editorial May 2023
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
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Journal editorial June 2022: The big freeze
The announced freeze on spending in the justice sector will worsen the existing crisis, and something will have to give
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Journal editorial May 2022: Ball in their court
There could at last be public sympathy for action taken by legal aid lawyers in support of their campaign for adequate rates
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Journal editorial August 2021
Plans to cut criminal case backlogs need proper consultation with defence lawyers – and a drive to make best use of their time
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Journal editorial May 2021
After featuring in the election campaign the future of the not proven verdict is in doubt – but are there alternatives to simple abolition?
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Journal editorial December 2020
Employers should help people find their own best balance between home and office working; Government must recognise the urgency of the crisis in legal aid
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Journal editorial November 2020
As legal aid lawyers hang on for a Government decision on funding, New Generation Lawyers deserves support in campaigning for their future
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Journal editorial July 2020
If action on court provision is not taken soon, we may face a hard choice between preserving the jury system and protecting human rights
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VE day and the Hate Crime Bill
Convener of the Criminal Law Committee Debbie Wilson reflects on the effect of intolerance and hatred in a society and the responsibility the legal profession has in preventing it.
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Journal editorial March 2020
The Scottish Sentencing Council's proposed guideline for young offenders should be looked at in the wider sentencing context
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Letter: kindness – what effect?
Data should be provided on whether the "kindness courts" really make a difference
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Legal aid: a 3% rise, and then what?
Ken Dalling offers some thoughts to mark the day of the general increase
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Law for people
The dignity of the law has come before the dignity of those caught up in its processes. What might happen if that were reversed?
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Under siege
After the extra money announced for prosecutors and then the police, something has to be done now for the defence sector
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Letter: what do the money laundering rules achieve?
System of detection, not prevention, gives solicitors difficult choice
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Case to be made
If the independent legal aid review could not find evidence to support a general rise in fees, what should the response be?
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Letter: detention – unanswered questions
A defence lawyer's concerns at the lack of clarity over what should take place before and during an interview
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Letter: better research?
SLAB is criticising the Law Society of Scotland's research, but what of its own standards?
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Letter: what the review needs to cover
Legal services review should extend to delays in prosecuting rogue lawyers
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Letter: jumping the gun
Digital summary procedure – seriously?
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Letter: time to replace the oath?
A measure of choice should be retained for those giving evidence
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Crack this one
Digitising summary criminal business is a tough nut to crack, but a bold attempt has been made