Legal news
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Restriction of liberty order wrong for witness contempt
Sheriff Appeal Court affirms contempt penalties limited to fine or prison

Ministers propose amendments to Hate Crime Bill
Controversial "stirring up hatred" offence to require intent

Hate crime now subject of English Law Commission paper
Intent to be key to "stirring up hatred" offence, consultation proposes

Appeal allowed over sheriff cross-examining accused
Counsel right to object and should not have been told to sit down

Aberdeen lawyers call for temporary courtrooms
Extra trial provision wanted to tackle COVID-19 backlog

Hamilton pilot cuts summary trial caseload
Weekly "surgeries" sort out which cases need to go to trial

Move to challenge men’s views of prostitution
Scottish Government consultation seeks to challenge attitudes

Dates set for first remote jury trials
Cinema juries to sit from 28 September (Edinburgh) and 12 October (Glasgow)

Domestic abuse figures rise following 2018 Act
Reported cases reach five year high in first year of extended offence

Holyrood committee backs Forensic Medical Services Bill
Stage 1 report supports giving victims more control over reporting

Bulletin shows lockdown level of criminal court business
New cases continued but few dealt with

Forensic mental health interim report highlights issues
Evidence shows system at capacity and problems accessing services

Large gatherings in houses now an offence
New anti-COVID-19 regulations penalise house parties of more than 15

Face masks to be worn in courthouses from next week
Additional health measure in place as business increases

Public should not feel young offenders get off: Faculty
Sentencing guideline response backs rehabilitation, but warns of perception

30 November start for conviction disclosure changes
Job and insurance applicants to benefit from earlier spent conviction dates

EHRC calls for review of sexual history provisions
Report finds continuing concern about effectiveness of "shield" law

Bail Appeal Court goes virtual
Daily sittings to follow successful pilot

Courts study warns of possible long term trial backlogs
Four papers project measures needed to restore pre-COVID-19 position

Cinema screenings adopted to revive Scots jury trials
Multiplexes to enable 16 courtrooms following working group proposals

Campaigner wins ruling agains facial recognition trial
Court of Appeal holds Cardiff deployment flawed on three grounds

Two weeks to go for young offender sentencing views
Scottish Sentencing Council consultation closes on 21 August

Solicitor criticised for misleading statements to jury
"Quite wrong" to attempt to discount docket evidence as corroboration

Faculty calls for a rethink of Hate Crime Bill
Submission sees "potential unintended consequences" for freedom of speech