Legal news
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Criminal court business pulls ahead during March
Most courts running above pre-COVID case numbers

Courts revise COVID measures in line with law changes
Public access to court buildings allowed from next week

MSP’s campaign on dog stealing law gathers support
More than 1000 people sign online petition

Post-COVID justice reforms need more data, MSPs report
Stage 1 report calls for greater consensus before fundamental changes made

Ministers consult for Children's Care and Justice Bill
Paper covers potential reforms ahead of finalising content of bill

MSPs call for views on new Hunting with Dogs Bill
Short survey and full consultation open on further hunting controls

Peers warn of risks from unregulated justice system AI
Report calls for strict regulation to ensure benefits from informed use

Crown declines undertakings over Bayoh inquiry evidence
Questions remain over willingness of police officers to give evidence

Faculty holds to support for not proven verdict
Abolition would require new safeguards for accused persons

MSPs support Miners' Pardon Bill but suggest extensions
Stage 1 report recommends family members and community offences be covered

Waiting times for trial revealed in SCTS monthly data
Case throughput rose during February but still below pre-COVID average

Kennedy report calls for new misogyny offences
Working group proposes statutory aggravation and three new crimes

War crimes investigation to begin over Ukraine invasion
ICC prosecutor to proceed following preliminary assessment

Extradition invalid due to failure to introduce defence
Supreme Court allows appeal based on lack of forum bar in Scotland

Ministers revise serious and organised crime strategy
Increased collaboration intended to enable more flexible response

Omicron effect on criminal courts continued in January
Scottish Courts monthly workbook shows most business below pre-COVID levels

Book launch event to raise awareness of domestic abuse
March launch for work on victims' experiences of criminal justice response

More than 100 lawyers abandon legal aid duty scheme
40 firms and 110 solicitors have quit scheme since 2019: FOI answer

MSPs call for views on Fireworks Bill
Consultation opens on proposed controls, with public surveys

Fiscal's 1992 letter bars prosecution now: Appeal Court
Judges affirm 1976 Thom decision as good law

Ministers publish justice system plan through to 2026
Paper sets out vision and planned reforms for current Parliament

Sex offence summary case amendment can be retrospective
Appeal Court rules no unfairness if summary jurisdiction added

Ministers introduce fireworks control bill
Measure seeks to limit social harms from fireworks and pyrotechnics

USA extradition case limits scope of Convention rights
Mandatory life sentence no bar in kidnapping and attempted murder case