Legal Matters Scotland
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14th October 2025

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INDUSTRY
Lawyers unite against political attacks
Legal organisations representing over 250,000 lawyers have condemned recent political attacks on the judiciary as "irresponsible and dangerous." This comes following comments from Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, who threatened to remove "activist" judges. The Bar Council of England and Wales, The Law Society of Scotland, Faculty of Advocates, The Bar of Northern Ireland, and The "Law Society of Northern Ireland" have issued a joint statement in which they highlighted the risks faced by legal professionals, including violence and threats, due to such rhetoric. The statement emphasised that judges must remain impartial and that all individuals, including politicians, are subject to the law's protections. 
Law MD in growth warning
Rob Aberdein, managing director of Simpson & Marwick, says law firms face a critical challenge: scaling without compromising their core values. He argues that rapid growth can dilute trust, clarity, and purpose, leading to internal issues and a weakened client experience. Mr Aberdein warns that sustainable growth requires a focus on culture, ensuring that systems support values rather than undermine them.

Scotland’s First AI Legal Assistant Arrives

Today, Denovo unveiled LawY - Scotland’s first AI legal assistant built exclusively for Scots Law. Developed to serve as a firm’s trusted digital colleague, LawY instantly answers complex legal questions with AI-generated insights that are verified by qualified Scottish solicitors. This AI tool built into Denovo's case management platform, CaseLoad, is a groundbreaking blend of AI speed and human legal expertise, which is setting a new benchmark for trust, accuracy, and innovation in Scottish law firms.
Discover how LawY is redefining legal work in Scotland.

Read more

 
EMPLOYMENT
New agency will tackle wage violations
The Government has appointed Matthew Taylor as the first chairman of the Fair Work Agency, set to launch next year. This agency will enforce the Employment Rights Bill, which aims to enhance workers' rights, including parental leave and protections against unfair dismissal. Business Secretary Peter Kyle said that the current enforcement system fails both businesses and workers. The agency will consolidate the roles of three existing bodies and will have the authority to investigate employers violating wage laws. Paul Nowak of the TUC has emphasised the importance of the agency in improving enforcement for workers.
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INDEPENDENCE
Experts question plan for fresh referendum
The SNP has been accused of misleading independence supporters after lawyer Ann Faulds claimed that winning a Holyrood majority next May would give the Scottish Government a legal route to demand a second referendum. Speaking at the SNP conference, Faulds argued that Westminster would act "unreasonably" if it refused, citing the 2014 referendum as precedent. Party leader John Swinney praised her remarks as "absolutely fabulous legal advice" and hinted it could form part of a new independence strategy. However, constitutional experts, including Kenneth Armstrong of Cambridge University insisted a referendum remains legally impossible without Westminster's consent.
CASES
Trial told Bloody Sunday evidence 'inconsistent'
The trial of Soldier F, a former paratrooper accused of murdering two men during Bloody Sunday, is facing significant challenges. Defence barrister Mark Mulholland argued that the evidence against Soldier F is "fundamentally inconsistent" and lacks civilian support. He said: "There is simply no evidence to meet the necessary threshold for a conviction." The prosecution's reliance on military witness statements from 53 years ago has been questioned, particularly as key witnesses are either deceased or unwilling to testify. Soldier F has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and the trial continues at Belfast Crown Court.
Mull islanders take council to court over school plans
Parents on the Isle of Mull are taking Argyll and Bute Council to court over its decision to build a new £43m school campus next to the existing high school in Tobermory. Campaigners had argued for a more central location to spare southern pupils the long journey to Oban and weekly stays in hostels, but the council said alternative plans would cost an extra £12m and could jeopardise government funding. The case, set for a judicial review at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, will examine the lawfulness of the council's decision, though it cannot force a change of site.
Cocaine-fuelled driver banned for 17 months
Warren Henderson, 35, from Aberdeen, has been banned from driving for 17 months after being caught more than six times over the cocaine limit on the A96 near Lhanbryde. Tests showed a benzoylecgonine level of 332, far above the legal limit of 50. He was also sentenced by Elgin Sheriff Court to 180 hours of community service, to be completed within a year as an alternative to prison.
COMPENSATION
Lloyds: Car finance scandal could cost £2bn
Lloyds Banking Group is setting aside an additional £800m for compensation claims linked to the car loan mis-selling scandal. This takes the total amount allocated by the bank for redress to nearly £2bn. Lloyds said it is setting aside an additional £800m based on "the increased likelihood of a higher number of historical cases... being eligible for redress." The bank said its "best estimate" of the total cost of redress was £1.95bn. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently published details of its proposed compensation scheme, saying that lenders could be set to pay out a total of £8.2bn in compensation. The FCA forecasts that banks will account for 51% of the payouts, with captive lenders - the financial arms of the carmakers that issue loans to buyers - accounting for 47% and independent lenders liable for about 2%.
CYBERSECURITY
Consultants set for cybersecurity windfall
Amid a surge in cyber-attacks targeting major businesses, consultancy firms are expect to see a significant increase in demand for cybersecurity services. According to Source Global Research, the cybersecurity consulting services market will see growth hit 9% in 2025, compared to 4.7% in 2024. The report estimates that the global cybersecurity market will grow by over $2bn in 2025, as revenues rise from $27.9bn in 2024 to $30.2bn in 2025. Catherine Anderson, director at Source Global Research, said: "This significant rise in demand reflects the challenging business environment faced by companies of all stripes."
REGULATION
Ofcom fines 4chan £20,000 under new rules
Ofcom has fined online message board 4chan £20,000 under the Online Safety Act for failing to provide information about illegal content on its platform. The regulator will also impose a daily penalty of £100 for 60 days or until compliance is achieved. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said that the Government supports Ofcom's actions, emphasising the need to address illegal content. However, 4chan has refused to pay the fine, with its lawyers calling it "risible." Preston Byrne, managing partner at Byrne & Storm, said: "That Americans don't obey British censors is a matter of settled US law."
OTHER
Court uses Google Translate for defendant
A district judge at Guildford Magistrates' Court used Google Translate to inform Qais Al-Aswad about the adjournment of his sexual assault case. The judge, Julie Cooper, decided to delay proceedings after a probation officer could not interview Al-Aswad due to a lack of an Arabic interpreter. She instructed the court clerk to translate the message. The case will resume on October 22 at Staines Magistrates' Court.
 


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