Industry updates
Early highlights as president
Susan Murray presents her very first president update as she takes up the reins on core issues, attends events and speaks on behalf of the Society and its members.
It pays to be clear
The SLCC has published a report on the benefits of price transparency and clear costs to reduce the risk of misunderstandings which can often lead to complaints.
“Killer cyclists” to be jailed
Or are they? The inflammatory headline, so often affixed to cycling related issues in the media, did little to quell the unreserved fury that erupted. However, minimal debate took place on what the changes sought to achieve and whether this was even the right approach.
Abortion, disability and the Post Office
Take a look at some of the work the Society committees undertook during the month of May.
Stepping Up
The Journal spoke to new president, Susan Murray, on building her career from a level playing field and the importance of representing the Society and its members.
2025 court dates
The Sheriffdom of North Strathclyde has published the court holidays and custody court arrangements for 2025.
Scotland at the forefront of children’s rights
The UNCRC Bill was passed unanimously in Scottish Parliament last year, receiving Royal Assent on 16 January 2024, and coming into force on 16 July 2024. What does its enactment mean for practitioners and children?
Detail and discretionary interpretation
The Lands Tribunal for Scotland handed down the first judgment in the UK on the requirements to validly serve a Notice to end an agreement under the Electronic Communications Code.
OPG update
The Office of the Public Guardian would like to make Society members aware of two recent developments. The first on interpretation and the second on fees for partial revocations.
Navigating transgender legal rights
Navigating transgender legal rights: Scottish perspectives on gender recognition and family law
Familiar faces not welcome
Is the guidance as to who may act as an appropriate adult at police station interviews unduly restrictive in relation to mental health support workers?
Time for change
In light of John Swinney becoming the new Scottish First Minister earlier this month, Christine O’Neill KC and Emily Tarbet explore the legal and constitutional issues that arise when change occurs.
Looking ahead to the future
In Sheila’s final column as President, she highlights the importance of diversity and inclusion, alongside the ‘incredible work of the Lawscot Foundation’.
If you don’t ask, you don’t get!
A recent Inner House decision, Murdoch v Murdoch, has turned two broadly accepted principles regarding craves on their head.
Digging deep
An award-winning professional investigator shares how covert intelligence can span countries and provide law firms with support across multiple practice areas.
Asylum following gender-based torture
Over 230 million girls and women worldwide have undergone female genital mutilation - a 15% increase compared to eight years ago. But what happens when they later try to claim asylum?
Getting the message across
As we enter a change in president this month, let’s look back to when Caroline Flanagan became the first female president of the Society.
Keeping tenant farming on track
Some argue that the steadily declining number of agricultural tenancies in Scotland are a direct result of competing rights between tenants and landlords.
SSDT Decision May
Read the latest decision from the SSDT as well as links back to other recent decisions.
Learning disabilities, victims bill and conversion practices
It has been another busy month for the Society committees as they support and spearhead policy change on incredibly important topics, such as ending conversion practices.
Scottish Law Commission seeks comments on tenement law reform
The Scottish Law Commission has published its Discussion Paper consulting on reform of the law of the tenement.
Taxation across borders
The issue surrounding what and how much a taxpayer should be paying in the UK is a frequent topic of debate, but it becomes even more complex when said taxpayer starts to operate in more than one jurisdiction.
SLCC publishes a budget for a time of uncertainty
The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) has laid its budget for 2024-25 before parliament after the SLCC Board approved its draft budget unchanged following a statutory consultation.
The case for compulsory mediation
The issue of compulsory mediation is exercising legal minds on both sides of the Border and, as the appetite for change in Scotland increases, the matter of its feasibility or desirability becomes ever more relevant.