Legal news

Crown Office reveals action against organised criminal shoplifting gangs
200 individuals identified as taking millions

Human Trafficking Bill passes stage 1
Unopposed motion to agree general principles

Change at the top at GSPC as Hordern leaves
Chief executive to take up similar role at Pacitti Jones

Lindsays to merge with Dundee's RSB macdonald
Combined 38-partner practice to operate from 6 July

Real estate partner hire for DWF
Moray Thomson joins from MacRoberts

Society appeals for goods as staff to run Nepal charity shop
Six to give a day raising funds for earthquake survivors

Society announces move to modern offices
New central Edinburgh location to be confirmed

Faculty queries summary sheriffs holding FAIs
Evidence points out conflict with proposed specialisms

Courts launch workshop series on evidence and procedure proposals
Programme covers different aspects of Lord Carloway's review

Gateley announces intention to become listed company
National law firm to apply to trade on AIM

Survey puts Scotland top in Europe for LGBTI rights
Campaigners warn that attitudes still have to change

Simpson & Marwick family law team defects to Brodies
Three partners and team of 12 moving firm

Profession doubtful over Gove as successor to Grayling
Second non-lawyer appointed Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor

Companies sue European Court over delays in proceedings
Court appealing to itself over own rulings in actions

Leased subjects included culverted burn, sheriff rules
Tenants, not landlords, held liable for maintenance

Society Council voting now open
Polling in five areas runs until 20 May

Court has discretion to require evidence on mitigation: appeal judges
Lack of contradiction by Crown not conclusive

Community Justice Bill model aims to tackle reoffending
Local partnerships between agencies at core of planning

Lord President Gill to step down at end of this month
Architect of court reforms to bow out ahead of their taking effect

Smaller law firm finances picking up, benchmarking report finds
Concerns remain over funding of legal aid practices

Young lawyers bring tennis cancer charity tournament to Edinburgh
First event in Scotland for Cancer Research Racquet

CML announces Scottish Handbook changes
Revisions conclude negotiations with Society post-"sep rep" defeat

Lindsays signs employment partner
john Lee joins from DWF

MSPs investigate race issues in finding work
Equal Opportunities Committee launches inquiry with evidence call