Legal news

Aberdeins launches with ambitions to disrupt
Tech-driven professional service group promises different client engagement

Bill to improve social security system passes stage 3
Unanimous support for "technical but important" changes

"Year of two halves": Carloway's annual opening address
Courts and tribunals "will not return to the way things were"

New lawyers and students unsupported in lockdown: SYLA
Survey finds more on furlough and students lacking support

Burness Paull posts gains despite lockdown
Revenue up 3% and profit up 14% in year to 31 July

Edinburgh student wins first Session Cases scholarship
Shona Warwick awarded postgraduate research prize to mark bicentenary

Husband's will completed consent for IVF with semen
Court grants widow's petition to declare effective statutory consent

Cinema juries not enough to solve trials backlog: MSPs
"Unpalatable" measures may be needed in package to clear pandemic arrears

FOI annual report shows ongoing level of appeals
76% of requests result in information release

Online simple procedure mandatory from 1 December
Sheriff must grant permission if exemption claimed

MSPs voice serious concerns over EU alignment bill
Bill's progress "depends on satisfactory response from Government": report

Retail workers protection bill passes stage 1
Unanimous agreement to general principles of member's bill

Restriction of liberty order wrong for witness contempt
Sheriff Appeal Court affirms contempt penalties limited to fine or prison

Annual report details SCJC projects and priorities
Litigation funding and group proceedings among the priorities in 2019-20

Ministers propose amendments to Hate Crime Bill
Controversial "stirring up hatred" offence to require intent

Hate crime now subject of English Law Commission paper
Intent to be key to "stirring up hatred" offence, consultation proposes

Faculty doubts incentive effect of NHS recovery bill
"No reason to believe" member's bill will have workplace safety impact

Anderson Strathern promotes 18
Hires and mergers possible as firm anticipates expansion in coming year

SLAB reappointments confirmed
Sheldon and Dhir given new or extended terms

Entwistle becomes chairman at WJM
Former chief executive takes on new role as Colin Brass steps down

Appeal allowed over sheriff cross-examining accused
Counsel right to object and should not have been told to sit down

MPs' report highlights COVID-19 human rights issues
Concerns raised over public confusion, and treatment of detainees