Legal news
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Advocates oppose statutory directions in sex crime trials
Consultation response says trial judges should retain discretion
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Parent snatching child should be dealt with as contempt: appeal court
Court refuses appeal against conviction for abduction
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Scottish Sentencing Council gears up for launch with new website
First phase unveiled ahead of October opening
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Domestic abuse disclosure scheme to be rolled out
Scotland-wide reach for "Clare's Law" by later this year
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Human rights judges reject fairness complaint over reporting pre-retrial
English courts took correct approach and jury properly instructed
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MSP seeks to raise age of criminal responsibility
Amendment to Criminal Justice Bill would see rise to 12 years
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Air Weapons and Licensing Bill passes final stage
Ministers agree some amendments to licensing provisions
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Automatic early release curbs pass stage 3
Opposition MSPs abstain as bill wins final vote
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Research needed ahead of early release changes, Society claims
Proposed six month sentence reduction "not enough for rehabilitation"
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Women offender plans to include new 80-place prison
Justice Secretary announces move towards "custody in the community"
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"Whole system approach" to be advanced to tackle youth offending
New strategy launched as figures show big fall in proceedings
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Driver should be liable under smoking in cars law: Society
Call for child protection law to mirror position in England
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Ministers act to correct legal aid gap for double jeopardy accused
ABWOR to cover permission hearings in light of Francis Auld case
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Survey finds public support for Offensive Behaviour at Football Act
Evaluation after two years indicates decline in behaviour targeted
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Latest hate crime figures reveal downward trend
All categories except disability show fewer charges
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Serious concerns voiced over legal aid in new court set-up
Society "disappointed and frustrated" that ministers ignored submissions
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Car hire concerns as driving licence counterparts abolished
Penalty points only to be recorded electronically from now on
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Coulson cleared of perjury following "no case to answer" ruling
Trial judge holds allegedly false evidence not relevant to trial
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Car smoking ban with children difficult to enforce: Society
Submission proposes education based approach
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Summary trial scheduling problems need to be addressed: appeal court
Judges uphold sheriff's discretion in "very difficult" delay case
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Sex offender review provisions meet human rights law, court rules
Inner House rejects challenge to 15-year wait for serious offender
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Way must be found to protect refugees, says Dean
Lord Advocate also addresses conference on defence to false identity
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Presiding Officer casts doubt on competence of member's parking bill
Measure to stop parking on pavements "relates to a reserved matter"
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Stop and search advisory group calls for evidence
Invitation issued for views on any matter within its remit