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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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.
Journal editorial March 2020
The Scottish Sentencing Council's proposed guideline for young offenders should be looked at in the wider sentencing context
Letter: kindness – what effect?
Data should be provided on whether the "kindness courts" really make a difference
Legal aid: a 3% rise, and then what?
Ken Dalling offers some thoughts to mark the day of the general increase
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?
Under siege
After the extra money announced for prosecutors and then the police, something has to be done now for the defence sector
Letter: what do the money laundering rules achieve?
System of detection, not prevention, gives solicitors difficult choice
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?
Letter: detention – unanswered questions
A defence lawyer's concerns at the lack of clarity over what should take place before and during an interview
Letter: better research?
SLAB is criticising the Law Society of Scotland's research, but what of its own standards?
Letter: what the review needs to cover
Legal services review should extend to delays in prosecuting rogue lawyers
Letter: jumping the gun
Digital summary procedure – seriously?
Letter: time to replace the oath?
A measure of choice should be retained for those giving evidence
Crack this one
Digitising summary criminal business is a tough nut to crack, but a bold attempt has been made