Law Society news
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Approach to abusive behaviour becoming increasingly "fragmented"
The Law Society of Scotland has emphasised its support for continuing improvements to the way the criminal justice system responds to abusive behaviour, including domestic abuse, but has concerns the law in this area is becoming increasingly fragmented.
Hate crime legislation review survey
Solicitors and members of the public are being encouraged to submit their views on hate crime legislation in Scotland.
Law reform round up May 2017
The Society’s committees have been working on a number of Scottish Parliament and UK Parliamentary Bills and consultations including the Child Poverty (Scotland) Bill, the SLAB consultation on changes to the Code of Practice.
Legal services review announced
The Law Society of Scotland has welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement today, Tuesday, 25 April, of an independent review of legal services, saying that current legislation governing the legal sector is no longer fit for purpose.
Brussels Agenda - April 2017
Read the April edition, for all the latest EU developments.
Society calls for delay on SLAB code of practice
The Law Society of Scotland has called for the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) to postpone the introduction of a proposed new code of practice until new legal aid fee levels for providing police station advice are agreed.
National risk assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing consultation
The UK Government has recently launched a consultation on a refreshed national risk assessment (NRA) of money laundering and terrorist financing.
Law reform round up April 2017
The Society’s committees have been working on a number of Scottish Parliament and UK Parliamentary Bills and consultations including the UK Government’s Brexit White Paper, the Scottish Government’s consultation on increasing organ and tissue donation and transplantation and the Contract (Third Party Rights) (Scotland) Bill.
SLP review will need to ensure legitimate Scottish partnerships can thrive while tackling criminal activity
The Law Society of Scotland has said that increased scrutiny of Scottish limited partnerships’ anti-money laundering processes could help deter criminal activity.
Survey of Scottish solicitors highlights Brexit and legal aid as key concerns
The impact of Brexit on the law and legal practice is a key issue for Scottish solicitors, according to the findings of a recent survey.
Law Society of Scotland highlights priorities for legal profession and EU nationals as Article 50 is triggered
Commenting on the triggering of Article 50 by the UK Prime Minister today, Wednesday, 29 March, Lorna Jack, Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “Leaving the European Union is arguably the biggest constitutional change for the UK since 1945, with today’s triggering of Article 50 marking the start of serious negotiations on the terms of our withdrawal."
Education on benefits of donating organs needed to boost donation rates
The Society believes legislative change on organ donation and transplants would have to be supported by a major public education campaign to boost donor numbers.
Law reform round up March 2017
Our committees' work in relation to Bills and consultations including driving offences and penalties relating to causing death or serious injury, pension scams and the Commission on Parliamentary Reform.
Law reform round up February 2017
Consultation on a Draft Referendum Bill, the Criminal Finances Bill and the UK Government’s consultation on Reforming the Employment Tribunal System and more.
Law reform round up January 2017
The Digital Economy Bill, the creation of a specific offence of domestic abuse and the minimum age of criminal responsibility and more.
Law reform round up December 2016
Proposed Football Act (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill, the impacts of Brexit on Justice and Security and the Future of Forestry in Scotland and more.
Law reform round up November 2016
Scottish Court Fees, the human rights implications of Brexit, brain injury and offending, and more.
Law reform round up October 2016
Scotland’s place in Europe following the result of the referendum, Scottish Government’s legislative programme and more.
Changing shape of the legal profession: in-house survey
As the legal profession continues to change shape, we're keen to find out more about the services supplied by in-house solicitors.
Law reform round up September 2016
Policing and Crime Bill, non-compete clauses, the CMA’s Report on the Legal Services Market and more.
Law reform round up August 2016
New proposals to introduce a no-blame redress scheme for the healthcare sector, new police powers for stop and search, Investigatory Powers Bill and more.
Thirty minutes to help defend legal aid
Mark Thorley and Jim Stephenson, partners at Thorley Stephenson and members of the Law Society’s Legal Aid Committee, explain why they've completed the independent legal aid financial survey.
Law reform round up July 2016
Immigration and asylum tribunal fees, the minimum age of criminal responsibility, the proposed secondary market for pension annuities, and more.
Law Society and Legal Hackers Scotland to host access to justice 'hackathon'
The Law Society of Scotland and Legal Hackers Scotland are inviting teams to gather round their laptops for the Law Society’s first ever access to justice 'hackathon'.