Legal news

SLAB consults about A&A and ABWOR policies
Views sought to inform possible reforms

Solemn trial waiting times stay high as JP court falls
Latest SCTS figures show time lag remains despite higher throughput

Dundee Justice Hub to open next summer
Facility will support vulnerable witnesses across sheriffdom

New baseline needed for cases awaiting trial: Carloway
Lord President opens legal year, conceding no return to pre-Covid position

Police Ethics and Scrutiny Bill goes out to views
Evidence invited for MSPs' stage 1 report

Two Scotland partner hires for CMS
Barry Edgar and Fenella Mason join in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Balfour+Manson hires commercial disputes partner
Daniel Bain joins from Shepherd and Wedderburn

BBC's The Firm returns to spotlight Aamer Anwar
New series follows team's work across three public inquiries

Scottish Arbitration Centre signs disputes agreement
Organisation to work with Permanent Court of Arbitration

Scottish ministers admit climate assessment failure
Legal action threat by Good Law Project forces promise of urgent work

More reform needed to help the vulnerable: Carloway
Lord Justice General highlights ongoing issues with practices and resources

Alcohol minimum unit price proposed to rise to 65p
Ministers propose continuing the law with rise to improve health outcomes

Year on year house prices remain flat in latest figures
July 2023 Scottish average up 0.1% on 2022

Double partner hire for Dentons in Scotland
Steph Innes and Philip Knight join in Glasgow and Edinburgh respectively

Recorded crimes total remains below pre-Covid level
Figures for year to June 2023 show some rises but overall fall on 2019

First applications for new carer benefit from November
Three pilot areas will begin rollout of carer support payment

MSPs propose stronger trust and succession law reforms
Stage 1 report welcomes bill but puts forward further changes

Holyrood will look at changes to child rights legislation
Move comes after ruling on Parliament's powers

OPG confirms new power of attorney amendment policy
Significant alterations will need new deed from 30 October

Fifteen new King's Counsel appointed
Thirteen advocates and two solicitor advocates awarded silk

Prison overcrowding worse again, Chief Inspector warns
Annual report warns every part of justice system at risk, and the community

Sheriffs principal to set time limits on custody courts
Judges act in interests of wellbeing as response to GEOAmey disruption

Glasgow drug pilot likely after Lord Advocate statement
Prosecution for possession within facility not in public interest: Bain

Incapax widow’s attorney can petition to be executor
Sheriff declines to follow textbook statement to contrary