Law Society news
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Law Society call for expert views on planning obligations
The Planning Law Sub-Committee is inviting Scottish solicitors and interested stakeholders to share their views on the subject of planning obligations under section 75 (Planning Obligations) of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (‘the Act’).
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month responding to proposed changes in the law. Recent highlights include the opportunity to comment on the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill, responses to the International Trade Committee’s call for evidence on Trade and the Environment, and our Child and Family Law Committee’s response to the Law Commissions' joint consultation on building families through surrogacy.
Law Society comment on new jury research
The Society says new research which offers insight into the way juries reach their verdict in criminal trials will require careful consideration.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month responding to proposed changes in the law. Recent highlights include responses on the programme for government, legal aid, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, heritable securities and disclosure.
Law Society of Scotland says education is essential next step for new smacking ban
New legislation banning the smacking of children needs to be supported by a comprehensive public education and awareness campaign.
Next stage of vulnerable accused persons project
The Criminal Law Committee are looking for examples and information about experiences of cases involving vulnerable accused persons to take forward a follow-up project to their April 2019 report on the subject.
Law Society supports moves to ensure Shetland by-election is ECHR compliant
The Law Society has supported steps taken by the Scottish Government to ensure that the Shetland by-election is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month responding to proposed changes in the law. Recent highlights include comments on the regulation of short-term lets, online harms and more.
FairBnB?
Our policy executives, Gillian Mawdsley and Alison McNab, discuss the Scottish Government's proposals to regulate the short-term letting market.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month responding to proposed changes in the law. Recent highlights include comments on the Planning (Scotland) Bill, Management of Offenders (Scotland) Bill and more!
New planning legislation must deliver
In our briefing issued to MSPs, we have warned that the Planning (Scotland) Bill is currently unworkable and risks adding significant additional costs on local authorities, developers and communities.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month responding to proposed changes in the law. Recent highlights include responses on succession law, vulnerable witnesses and environmental protections after Brexit!
Greater publicity required on importance of making a will
In our response to a Scottish Government consultation, we have stressed the importance of making a will and keeping it updated.
Law Society launches first sector-wide survey on mental health
We are urging everyone working in Scotland’s legal sector to take part in a new survey on mental health in the workplace.
Loss of EU environmental governance could see drop in current protections in UK post-Brexit
We have called for current environmental protections to remain intact after the UK leaves the European Union.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month responding to proposed changes in the law. Recent highlights include responses on redundancy protection for women and new parents, defamation, charity law and more!
Greater consistency needed for vulnerable accused people
Report sets out five key steps to ensure greater consistency for vulnerable accused people
Legal aid fee increase must be part of wider reform
With a global 3% increase to legal aid fees taking effect from today, 26 April 2019, we have highlighted that this fee increase must be part of a wider package of reform.
Devolved taxes - tell us your views!
Our policy sub-committees are responding to the Scottish Government’s consultation on Devolved Taxes: Policy Framework and we would be pleased to hear from you with any views and experiences.
Balance between freedom of expression and protection of reputation crucial to reform of defamation laws
In our response to the Scottish Government's consultation on defamation in Scots law, we have a called for a balance to be found between the right of freedom of expression and the right of protection of individual reputation.
Greater redundancy protection for women and new parents needed
We have called for greater redundancy protections for women and new parents returning to work from maternity leave, shared parental leave and adoption leave.
Public policy highlights
Our policy committees have had a busy month analysing and responding to proposed changes in the law to positively influence the creation of a fairer and more just society.
Consultation on proposed changes to the Accounts rules
Members of the legal profession are invited to give their views on proposed changes to the accounts rules in advance of the Law Society's 2019 annual general meeting on 30 May.
Charity legislation needs wider reform
We have called for a wider review of charity law in our response to a Scottish Government consultation