Legal news

Humanitarian award for Olivia Giles
Robert Burns Award goes to fundraising disabled lawyer

Faculty questions OLR effects of auto-release changes
Judge would have to consider effect of later notional release date

Stronachs appoints banking partner
Mark Brady joins from Bond Dickinson

Judge upholds "named persons" law
No breach of Convention or EU law in Children Act

Dentons' Chinese merger to create world's biggest law firm
Dacheng tie-up will mean 6,500 lawyer practice

Smith Commission powers given effect in draft clauses
UK ministers publish new devolution command paper

Tax tribunals objective should be simply put, Faculty argues
"Fairly and justly" UK standard should be adopted

Ending of poll tax collection supported in stage 1 report
Committee majority backs general principles of bill

Swinney modifies LBTT proposals
Lower rates to apply up to £325,000; most expensive houses cost more

Successful rape appellant to have compensation claim reconsidered
Court rejects ministers' appeal that refusal letters not "irrational"

Sikh solicitors given faith items concession by Home Office
Kirpans may be carried on detention centre visits

Thorntons announces partner and associate promotion
Caroline Kelly and Lynne Hopkins advance

MMS to sponsor top Olympic swimmer
Help for Keri-anne Payne in her bid for glory in Rio

Sheriff Principal Stephen appointed Queen's Counsel
Appointment confirmed following nomination

16 and 17-year-olds to vote in Scottish elections
Enabling powers to be devolved to Holyrood in March

Advocates rebrand specialist criminal body
Thomas Ross to be President of Scottish Criminal Bar Association

Commissioner fears as ministers' FoI extension powers "woefully underused"
Special report to MSPs calls for new approach to designation

Swinney to unveil revised LBTT rates this week
One year agreement on block grant reached with UK Government

Immigration controls feature in next round of Dewar Debate
64 schools to debate whether to abolish controls

Decrofting policy dispute to go to Court of Session
Commission seeks special case after Land Court reversal

Shawlands wins COPFS-backed Glasgow schools contest
Public speaking competition final took hate crime theme

Eyewitnesses remember better with eyes closed, study finds
"Building a rapport with witnesses" also a benefit

"Making Advice Work" evaluation reports positive results to date
SLAB-run scheme makes difference to people struggling with welfare cuts

Intervention by Society in Borders legal firm
Partner absence forces professional body to act