Legal news

Sheriff court changes do not prejudice access to justice: Stephen
Sheriff principal's lecture highlights career opportunities from reforms

Glasgow marks 15 years of sheriff commercial court
Sheriff principal promises continued efforts to improve

Time for action on Scottish patent court, lawyers say
Faculty and Society call for designation, following Irish decision

Crown reveals policy for social media prosecutions
Illegal online if illegal in the street: Lord Advocate

SYLA closes the year in style
Final seminar and Christmas social to be held next week

Stamp duty slab system to go, Autumn Statement announces
Percentage rates to apply from tomorrow

Regulation changes on Society's agenda following consultations
Further proposals to be developed on entity regulation and charging

Swinney calls for joint approach to new Scotland Act powers
Further demand for action ahead of legislation

Ministers open up public debate over landownership
Consultation launched on revealing – and limiting – ownership rights

Inksters joins ABS lobby group
Move anticipates ABS introduction in Scotland

Karen Gibbons becomes Family Law Association chair
Balfour+Manson associate takes over from Sally Swinney

Party litigant's medical certificate found to be forgery
Decree by default for £6.5m granted against former director

Renewed focus needed on climate change targets, MSPs tell ministers
Committee calls for urgent steps and commitment to specific action

Lawyers worry over retirement means, survey reports
Many unsure of their likely income

Brodies takes UK award
"UK Law Firm of the Year" title at British Legal Awards

Christine McLintock to become new Law Society president
Two candidates nominated for vice-president role

Society responds to Post-corroboration Safeguards Review
Warning against ‘borrowing safeguards’ from other jurisdictions to replace corroboration

Faculty marks European Lawyers day with Edward lecture
Event to follow lawyer-client confidentiality theme

If corroboration goes, not proven verdict should follow: Faculty
Advocates submit response to Bonomy corroboration proposals

Holyrood to gain control of income tax under Smith proposals
Tax rates and bands, and some welfare powers, included in package

Crofting community right to buy still too complex, Society claims
Written evidence argues bill could do more to simplify

Morisons appoints business team associate
IP lawyer Victoria Moore joins from Brodies

Sturgeon's first bill programme unveiled
Full programme promised for 2014-15 session

Human Rights Commission publishes one-year report on Action Plan
Partnerships established to take forward commitments to action