Practice
Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill approved by Parliament after decade of work
One of the longest legislative processes in Scottish parliamentary history has concluded with new powers which regulators say will better protect clients and the wider legal sector.
Authorising the Algorithm — what the first AI-driven law firm signals for legal practice
Garfield.Law Ltd is the first purely AI-based firm approved to provide legal services. Dr Corsino San Miguel looks at this latest development in the evolution of the profession.
Public Policy Highlights April 2025 including Net Zero, Legal Aid and Human Rights
The Law Society Policy team and its network of committee volunteers respond to issues of legal aid, net zero, human rights and civil justice.
Sheriff makes 7 recommendations following FAI in to the death of Jack McKenzie
Jack McKenzie died at HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution at Polmont. Now a sheriff has found that there were reasonable precautions by which the death might realistically have been avoided.
Clarity, compassion and choice — what next for Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill and why status quo is 'anything but safe'
Maintaining the status quo on assisted dying in Scotland is not a tenable position, writes Sarah Sivers. The current legal position is at best unclear, and at worst internally contradictory. So what happens now?
The importance of understanding domestic abuse, trauma and the law when advising clients
A sound understanding of the law around and signs of domestic abuse and coercive control is essential not just for family solicitors, but practitioners across the profession, explains Helen Hughes.
Urgent call for volunteers — have your say on civil online Case Tracker
The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has issued an urgent call for volunteers to help bolster their online civil Case Tracker.
'Communication with victim key' in new process for dealing with child sexual offenders
The Lord Advocate has unveiled new processes for handling future rape cases where the accused is a child.
When homelessness and the law collide - what Supreme Court decision means for local authorities
The UK Supreme Court’s recent interpretation of homelessness legislation reflects the reality of an ongoing housing crisis and the challenges faced by Scottish councils.
Why template agreements will increase confidence in carbon unit sales
In a bid to support the voluntary carbon market and aid the UK’s journey to net zero, new free-to-access template agreements and guidance aims to streamline the carbon unit sales process.
UK consumers losing out under product liability regime - is it time for reform?
Product liability experts consider the reforms and proposed amendments to product liability frameworks in the UK and the EU, and highlights the need for further change.
Increased trainee pay 'imperative' for future of legal sector - here are new recommended rates
The President of the Law Society of Scotland has warned it is "imperative" trainee pay rises in response to wage growth and inflation for the sake of the whole legal profession.
'Bigotry', the Supreme Court and what this week taught us about judicial independence
When an MSP branded the Supreme Court’s decision in For Women Scotland vs The Scottish Ministers "bigotry, prejudice and hatred”, the legal profession struck back. But what has this past week revealed about threats to judicial independence?
Scottish legal aid desert is growing — and failing Scots in 'traumatic' situations
Legal aid deserts continue to grow as solicitors working on civil matters abandon the system, the Law Society of Scotland has warned a parliamentary inquiry.
Why Vodafone case is crucial in balancing telecommunications benefits with landowners' rights
A recent ruling provides a cautionary tale for landowners, and will likely become a key reference point for future cases involving telecoms infrastructure.
What the Supreme Court's decision in For Women Scotland's appeal means
Front page news rarely does statutory interpretation make, writes Joshua King, but the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers was different.
Why McGunnigal v Pollock [2025] gives some much-needed clarity on cohabitation and unjustified enrichment
Family law solicitor Tom Main considers the recent case of McGunnigal v Pollock [2025] SC FAL 15, and finds clarity on cohabitation and unjustified enrichment.
Public Policy Highlights February and March 2025 including Covid, Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Throughout the year, the Law Society Policy team and its network of committee volunteers respond to a variety of consultations and comment on a range of Bills, helping to shape good law for the benefit of its members and in the public interest.
Challenge of balancing Scotland's people and wilds - inside the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill
Introduced in February 2025 and now at Stage 1 of the parliamentary process, the Bill puts forward measures to protect Scotland’s natural environment.
Explained - the Diligence against Earnings (Variation) (Scotland) Regulations 2024
Implemented on 6 April, the Diligence against Earnings (Variation) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 bring increased protection for low-earning debtors, writes Ahsan Mustafa.
Second court established for the National Personal Injury Court
A second court has been established for the National Personal Injury Court (NPIC) based at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Why the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission has praised Law Society of Scotland's procedures
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) has praised colleagues at the Law Society of Scotland for improving the speed of investigations, writes Joshua King.
'Biggest change for a generation' - Firms react to Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Act coming into force
Business in Scotland can no borrow more easily against assets including whisky stores and machinery, thanks to the implementation of the Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Act 2023, writes Joshua King.
Why Shoosmiths is offering a £1 million AI bonus pot this year
Leading UK law firm Shoosmiths has announced plans to reward staff with an extra £1 million in this year's bonus pot - if the company hits one million prompts on an AI platform, writes Joshua King.