Legal news

Four English judges go for using work IT for porn
Three sackings and a resignation for "inexcusable misuse"

Scotland should make refugees welcome: Lord Advocate
Support offered for work to help integration and inclusion

Court reporting restrictions rules about to change
Media given right to be heard before any order made

Optimism growing in Scottish profession, Society survey finds
61% now report confidence in the future for solicitors

Five new partners among Harper Macleod promotions
Partnership strength now 62 as seven advance

Survey points to further changes in Scottish legal scene
Better fee income, but further mergers and insolvencies predicted

Pre-recorded witness interviews should be evidence: report
SCS Evidence and Procedure Review calls for new trial procedures

Stronger controls needed on email surveillance, MPs report
Committee calls for new offence for abuse by GCHQ

Swinney promises new property information hub
"One enquiry" system to deliver comprehensive information

Judge entitled to find bank in breach of loan promise: Supreme Court
First instance decision restored in claim for loss of profit

Doctor-patient relationship under strutiny following Supreme Court ruling
Firm calls case ‘the most significant medical negligence judgment in 30 years’

Cycling group presents petition calling for change in law
Road Share report calls for introduction of presumed liability into Civil Law

bto solicitors appoints consultant in Northern Ireland
James Ferguson will service insurance clients’ needs from Belfast

JABS steering group tackles barriers to the bench
Group outlines proposals to help increase diversity in judicial appointments

DWF to go international with Dubai office
Move responds to demand from major clients

Watermans to expand into Glasgow
Personal injury firm to open city centre office

Faculty of Advocates defends appeals system for business rates valuation
Faculty says existing structure should be retained

Proposals over Scottish Parliament are ‘political rather than legal’
Society highlights challenges of Smith Commission recommendations over permanency of parliament

Relaunched adoption website offers improved matching process
Better information sharing speeds up rate of success

Morris joins Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland
Society President one of two new members

QC appointed Scottish Tax Tribunals President
Andrew Stewart to lead new body

Discipline Tribunal report shows cases becoming more complex
Renewed appeal to profession to heed duties under CML Handbook

Pinsent Masons to open Down Under
Five-partner practice to launch in Melbourne and Sydney

Warning over new risk of pension frauds
Scams on the rise as new freedoms set to come in