Legal news

Deadline approaches for Society mentoring applicants
Second scheme to follow successful pilot

Aberdein hands over reins of firm he co-founded
Managing partner of Aberdein Considine stepping down

Glasgow researchers to look into Scots religious privileges
Humanist Society funding for project to audit the law

Holyrood should have say in reserved matters: Society
Smith Commission submission calls for consultation before certain decisions

Director promotion at Macdonald Henderson
Alan McKee advanced in commercial dispute resolution

Levy & McRae agrees corporate team transfer to bto
Partners Sleigh and Booth move to larger firm

SLAB reports static cost of legal aid in 2013-14
Criminal grants up but total cost stays at £150.5m

Morton Fraser promotes three to partner
Donna Brennan, Amy Entwistle and Bev Wood add to female contingent

Private client partner hire for MMS
Alexis Graham returns to former firm

Experts to study electronic tagging of offenders
Improvements and awareness raising tone considered

Complaints Commission consults on rules changes
Revision includes time bar changes and new oral hearings

Report raises questions over UK drug enforcement approach
Coalition divisions emerge as Lib Dem minister calls for rethink

Ministers consult on order to prevent shared equity value avoidance
Schemes to be exempted from 20-year mortgage redemption rule

Malone sets up own arbitration practice
Scottish Arbitration Centre chair decides to go solo

Society, Faculty renew concerns on Assisted Suicide Bill
Evidence to Justice Committee calls for definition and clarity

Scottish house prices at all time high, Registers' figures show
Q2 growth brings average above pre-crash level

"Naked rambler" fails in Human Rights Court challenge
Convention does not permit "imposing antisocial conduct on others"

McClure Naismith adds to London team
Outsourcing consultant and real estate director recruited

Further support to come for care abuse survivors
Fund, and commemoration for victims, announced at event for survivors

Lords defeat Government over judicial review reforms
Three amendments passed to bolster judicial discretion

Threat levels justify standing authority for police firearms, HMICS finds
But report calls for better communication to increase public confidence

OSCR proposals would hit small charities, Society warns
New form of annual return would impose "undue burden"

Used car trade set for tighter controls
Government backs commission proposals for better consumer protection

Sheriff appointment for North Strathclyde
Solicitor Craig Turnbull becomes floating sheriff