Legal news

Maltese road authority held immune from Scottish action
State immunity applied as authority was carrying out state's obligation

Patient Safety Commissioner Bill comes before Holyrood
Commissioner will investigate issues and promote healthcare safety

UK legislative impact assessments failing, Lords report
Peers claim SI assessments done badly or not made available

MSPs pass emergency bill to cap housing rents
Bill completes passage under emergency procedure

Committee majority backs Gender Bill in stage 1 report
MSPs support self declaration model for gender recognition

LawCare makes "tag 10" plea for Mental Health Day
Support service asks law community to flag its work on 10 October

Solicitors risk Equality Act issues: disability survey
Legal Services Agency research finds disabled put off from seeking advice

Survey running on remote civil court hearings
Research seeks to support future development of digital programme

Reforms proposed to law on ending commercial leases
Scottish Law Commission suggests replacing law on tacit relocation

Ian Hamilton KC dies aged 97
Independence campaigner who helped take Stone of Destiny was oldest advocate

Four Covid-19 inquiry counsel step down as chair goes
Four of the six counsel to the Scottish public inquiry have resigned

Tenant Protection Bill could be passed this week
Motion before Holyrood today to approve passage as emergency bill

Cullen Kilshaw acquires Langholm's Stevenson & Johnstone
Merger brings Borders practice its 10th office

Marieke Dwarshuis appointed OSCR chair
Experienced board member appointed to head Scottish charity regulator

Lady Poole to step down as COVID-19 inquiry chair
Judge leaving independent inquiry for personal reasons

Dispute resolution partner hire at Addleshaw Goddard
Solicitor advocate Claire Thornber joins from Weightmans

Death announced of Aberdeen's Professor Pete Duff
Professor in Criminal Justice died suddenly last week

New powers to control short-term lets in Edinburgh
Move to address concerns over anti-social behaviour

MacRoberts reports strong growth in year to 30 April
Revenue up 10% and profits 17% for commercial law firm

IBA launches mentorship toolkit to help female lawyers
Guide is aimed at firms who lack internal resources to get started

Ministers seek views on shape of Scots aggregates levy
Consultation opens on replacement for UK tax

SLAB tightens practice on representative applications
Sponsor applications in immigration and asylum cases no longer accepted

Lord President reviews Covid recovery in annual address
Address for new legal year surveys progress with recovery programme