Legal news
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SCTS provides update on clearing trials backlogs
Resources being switched from summary to solemn cases

Review report commends Scots diversion from prosecution
Joint exercise calls for greater awareness and consistency in use

Abertay project seeks to detect online “romance fraud”
Tool being developed to spot scammers using dating platforms

MSPs query criminal justice social work future in NCS
Stage 1 report raises fresh concerns over lack of detail in bill

Call for views on Children (Care and Justice) Bill
MSPs invite submissions on child justice proposals at stage 1

Courts to be hit by industrial action on 1 February
SCTS hopes to maintain essential business, but disruption expected

Brown announces stay on trans prisoner moves
"Urgent lessons learned review" to take place following Bryson case

Hunting with Dogs Bill passes final stage
Majority of MSPs support strict new limits on number of dogs allowed

Criminal case backlog down 30% in 2022: SCTS
December figures support projections for clearing pandemic arrear

Agreement reached over £11m legal aid funding rise
Ministers, Society and SSBA settle allocation of additional funding

Three solicitors jailed on money laundering charges
Robertson & Ross client account allowed to be used for dirty money

Extended domestic abuse law better for victims: report
First studies find abusive behaviour dealt with better, male victims apart

COPFS consults public on strategy to 2027
Short consultation opens on mission, aims and areas for improvement

November criminal cases kept above pre-Covid levels
SCTS figures show increased throughput over the month

Bill to reform young offender care comes to Holyrood
Secure care will replace detention in young offenders institution

Legal aid spend still below pre-Covid in 2021-22: SLAB
Annual report shows recovering levels of business

Life prisoners’ serious crime prevention orders quashed
Not proportionate response to prospective risk to make orders now

Recorded domestic abuse figures show small fall
Justice Secretary recognises many incidents still go unreported

Flat cash settlement a risk to justice system: inspector
Chief Inspector of Prosecution warns Government aspirations will be unmet

Call for tougher rape sentencing guidelines
Lord Advocate's request after 'lenient' sentences

Sexual Offences Review's full terms of reference issued
Webpage published for updates on progress of review

Crime figures remain low despite non-Covid rise
Official statistics for year to September show overall 3% fall

Prisoner numbers stable, but remand total up: new stats
Covid measures continued to have impact in 2021-22

Frances McMenamin KC criticises plan to scrap jury trials
Senior legal figure says move threatens people's rights