Legal news

Three associate promotions at Austin Lafferty Solicitors
All three have been with the firm since trainee days

Discipline Tribunal publishes findings in Ahmed-Sheikh case
Ignorance of rules did not avoid solicitors' responsibility

Pathway programme sets out Ashurst graduate career options
Launch offers structured career paths with range of roles

Blain to succeed Gibb as Shepherd & Wedderburn managing partner
One corporate lawyer to replace another at helm of commercial firm

SYLA sets 16 May AGM date
Call for volunteers for committee places

Faculty joins opposition to "serious harm" defamation test
Response calls for study of English experience first

CMS hires energy partner for Glasgow office
Chris McGarvey joins from Pinsent Masons

First year-on-year Scotland-wide house price dip since 2016
February figures show 0.2% average fall

Fair comment defence saved erroneous "homophobic" Dugdale libel
"Wings over Scotland" blogger Campbell fails in defamation action

2020 Faculty scholarships open to applicants
End of April deadline for intending devils

25 April start date confirmed for Civil Online
Digital lodging and hearing of simple procedure cases to become reality

HMO licensing could be extended to protect contract workers
Ministers consult on adding new categories to definition

Further IBA post for Andrew Mackenzie
Scottish Arbitration Centre CEO joins Public Interest section

Appeal revives £14bn Mastercard class action
Tribunal ordered to reconsider refusal to certify

Inverness partner promotions at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie
Paul Adams and JP Campbell join top team

Crandles appointed managing partner at Turcan Connell
Two further partner promotions at private client firm

Commission calls for new law on real burdens enforcement
“Strong support” for replacing Title Conditions Act provisions

Land Commission surveys owners on community engagement
Aim is to discover level and effectiveness of current practice

Pinsent Masons adds legal director to Aberdeen employment team
Claire Scott joins from Burness Paull

Society questions proposed "serious harm" defamation test
Access to justice warning as consultation response calls for evidence of need

Davidson Chalmers and Kergan Stewart to merge
Davidson Chalmers Stewart comes into being on 1 May

Personal injury partner hire for Allan McDougall
Former Morisons partner Stephen Irvine joins firm

SLAB chair and three members to serve further terms
One legal and two lay members reappointed with Ray McFarlane

Asylum seekers' challenge to Serco lock-changing practice fails
Court finds no breach of statute or Human Rights Convention