Practice
Victims highlight gender abuse complexities
A new report has been published by the Scottish Sentencing Council examining how victim-survivors of domestic abuse view sentencing.
Service standards and risk management
Understand the importance of ensuring compliance with the Law Society’s Service Standard, in the first of two articles with Lockton.
Are you ready for ArbFest2024?
This event is taking place at the start of September, with keynote talks and a wealth of panel discussions covering the latest themes in arbitration.
A time to right historical wrongs
Is now the time for justice for the victims of the Infected Blood Scandal? After decades of campaigning by victims and their families, new regulations are published later this month which will formally appoint the Infected Blood Compensation Authority as the operator of the UK’s compensation scheme for all those affected.
A contract consultation
It has been six years since the SLC Review on Contract Law Report was published. This consultation seeks to establish whether the landscape around this area of the law has changed, and, if yes, then whether the changes are material to the recommendations contained in the report.
Navigating asylum law
On his inaugural day as prime minister, Keir Starmer scrapped the Conservative government’s controversial plan to send refugees and migrants who had entered the UK in breach of immigration law to Rwanda. This article gives an update on the development of asylum law and policy since then and the challenges the new government faces.
Rethinking IP in a generative era
Discussion of the opportunities, challenges and questions around generative artificial intelligence (AI) has been an inescapable part of the discourse about the future of business and working life since its more mainstream introduction a couple of years ago (despite its inception in the 1960s). Its impact on the legal landscape is no exception. Where the AI system generates new content or outputs, what are the IP law implications of this?
Bringing the heat
Energy performance, heating systems, energy efficiency improvements… these are probably not things that we conveyancing solicitors spend a great deal of time thinking about at the moment. This is likely to change soon.
What has been the impact?
Work has progressed with the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry, with hearings on the impact of the pandemic in Scotland on health and social care concluding at the end of June. With powerful testimony shared about the impact of the virus from those affected.
King’s Speech, elections and charging claims
The latest policy update (covering July) from the committees covers many topics including the Transfer of Undertakings (protection of employment) regulations and the Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill.
60 seconds with... Sustainability Committee member
Sophie McIvor spoke with Peter Brash about the development of the committee over the last year and how smaller firms can take action.
Will they be fit for purpose?
The Scottish Sentencing Council is seeking views on draft sentencing guidelines for rape offences.
Celebrating 75 years
The 31 July is an important date. It’s the Society’s 75th birthday. CEO Diane McGiffen shares her thoughts on this significant milestone, and why access to justice is just as important today, as it was in 1949.
The importance of GO Justice
Discover how Glasgow University is supporting a rights-based project that focuses on building legal capability in the community and hoping to empower marginalised groups through public legal education.
Anonymity in reporting child homicide victims
Family members have told the Scottish Government that they would welcome enhanced reporting and publication restrictions, including anonymity for children who have died as a result of a criminal act.
Rules and policies
With the concurrence of the Lord President, the SSDT has redrafted its procedural rules. These come into force on 1 September 2024 and will apply to all Complaints, Appeals and Applications lodged on or after that date.
Shining a light on sustainability
Members of the in-house community have come together to create a free toolkit to help you navigate sustainability principles.
Global tax frameworks
Knowing that the role of international tax laws in managing sovereign debt is multifaceted and encompassing a range of fiscal, diplomatic, and socioeconomic considerations. How easy is it to navigate differing international tax practices?
Intersectional analysis of disadvantage
When referring to the notion that experiences of discrimination and disadvantage cannot necessarily be directed to a single personal characteristic but, rather, the interaction of multiple characteristics, the term ‘Intersectionality’ is often used. Despite this, our anti-discrimination law permits claims of discrimination or harassment to be brought on singular grounds only.
The future of open justice
Following the livestreaming of significant civil cases, representatives in law and media met to discuss new opportunities and future developments. A report issued last week outlines the way forward and key action points.
Reducing difficult-to-measure legal costs
When people use words like ‘costs’ or ‘expenses’ in relation to legal services, it can mean anything readily capturable in financial software. Some important costs can be difficult to measure but nevertheless significant. How can you practically estimate these hard to measure costs?
Election priorities, social security and money laundering
Committee highlights include issuing a Stage 1 briefing on the Social Security bill, and responding to HMT's consultation on improving money laundering regulations.
Dispute resolution in extra-terrestrial realms (part 2)
Growth in commercial and economic activity often precedes an increase in disputes, and the space industry is likely to be no exception. Let’s consider the risks and challenges facing stakeholders in a significant commercial space economy and discuss the role of international arbitration in resolving outer space disputes.
The importance of content
On 5th July, the Law Society of Scotland hosted an event on business development and marketing, aimed at helping legal professionals enhance their content strategies: ‘How to Create and Leverage Content’.