Legal news

Assisted Suicide Bill report takes no formal position
Majority of committee against bill but progress left to full chamber vote

Victims and witnesses service standards published by COPFS
Partnership project produces guidance on what to expect

MacRoberts signs up employment partner
Deborah Miller joins from Simpson & Marwick

Damages based agreements must be fully regulated: Faculty
Response calls for claims management companies to come within controls

SLCC calls for improvements in conduct complaint handling
Recommendations follow analysis of Society's five year performance

Redundancy talks should have included fixed term contracts: Supreme Court
University union wins appeal from Court of Session ruling

University guide rates Glasgow top in Scotland for law
Two Scots universities in UK top 10 and four in top 20

Father petitions for court power to review jury acquittals
Verdict after son's death prompts plea against "irrational" decisions

Violent offender jailed for sheriff death threats
Accused threatened to "hunt down and kill" sentencing sheriff

Further funding announced for offender rehabilitation project
Low Moss pilot shows encouraging results in first year

Highest average house prices recorded in final 2014-15 quarter
Buyers of larger properties moving ahead of new land transaction tax

Public bodies will need to commit to Sign Language Bill: MSPs
Committee's stage 1 report backs aims of bill

Society announces Council election candidates
Contest to take place for eight out of 10 seats to be filled

Judges refuse request for barrister to lead in VAT appeal
Court "does not have power" to grant one-off rights of audience

Six in Scotland among CMS partner promotions
Thirty nine made up across Europe and Middle East

Trainees get 2% rise in recommended rate
Society's Council agrees increase from 1 June

Air Weapons and Licensing Bill backed at stage 1
No votes against but some MSPs abstain

Justice Committee backs Human Trafficking Bill
Stage 1 report supports general principles

Society's Neil Stevenson to head Complaints Commission
Director of representation to be next SLCC chief executive

Two more firms become "Investors in Young People"
Anderson Strathern and Shepherd & Wedderburn accredited by IIP

Montgomery to retire from Scottish Legal Aid Board
Chief executive will step down in August after 16 years

Scots personal insolvencies at lowest level for 10 years
Company failures also down in latest figures

WJM's David Boyce to become consultant
Partner retiring after over 40 years in practice

Gillespie Macandrew makes up two to partner
Eight others advanced in latest promotions round