Legal Matters Scotland
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11th November 2025

A free early morning round up of news for legal professionals across Scotland.
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COURTS
Scottish courts face significant funding crisis
Malcolm Graham, chief executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (SCTS), has warned MSPs that the court system faces a 'significant threat' due to under-funding and increasing workloads. He highlighted a £8m shortfall in this financial year and called for a baseline resource funding of £165m by 2026/27 to ensure sustainability. Graham noted that rising serious criminal cases, including historical sex offences, are exacerbating existing backlogs. The Scottish Government pledged to assess future budget needs.

Denovo and Amiqus Unveil Version 3 of Their Integration for Scottish Legal Firms

Denovo and Amiqus have launched Version 3 of their seamless integration - a fully secure, remote platform that combines identity verification, AML/KYC checks and compliance workflows within Denovo’s CaseLoad system. Built specifically for the Scottish legal sector, this enhanced release introduces automated data transfer, embedded compliance templates, and audit-ready document management, giving firms a unified, efficient and regulation-aligned way to manage onboarding and client verification.   

Read more about how Version 3 helps Scottish law firms stay ahead of compliance demands

 
POLICING
Police data practices face tough scrutiny
Police Scotland's biometric data collection will undergo a review led by Dr Brian Plastow, the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner. This assessment, the first of its kind, will evaluate the use of fingerprints and body-worn camera data. The review stems from a 1997 misidentification scandal involving detective Shirley McKie. The findings, expected in spring, will address the acquisition, retention, and destruction of fingerprints for criminal justice purposes. Dr Plastow aims to ensure ethical practices in biometric data handling within the justice sector, stating: "Our role is to support lawful and effective practices."
Police Scotland's compensation bill hits record high
Police Scotland paid £5.3m in 2024/25 to settle claims from officers and the public, marking a record high. This amount is £2.3m more than the previous year and nearly £3m higher than in 2021/22. Public claims alone accounted for £2.8m, with significant increases in costs.
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INDUSTRY
Scotland's busiest criminal lawyer revealed
Diarmid Bruce, managing director of Bruce McCormack Limited and Bruce Jackson Limited, has been confirmed as Scotland's busiest criminal practitioner. His firms earned £2.673m from the Scottish Legal Aid Board in 2024-25, an increase of £287,000 from the previous year. This marks the third consecutive year Bruce has topped the national legal aid rankings for criminal work. He stated: "Clients want someone who will, metaphorically, fight for them as opposed to someone who folds like a cheap suit in the face of adversity."
Support plan launched to help smaller law firms
The Law Society of Scotland has launched a new support plan to help smaller law firms address key challenges and seize opportunities. Based on solicitor feedback, the plan focuses on six areas: recruitment, business planning, anti-money laundering, technology, wellbeing, and legal aid. President Patricia Thom said the initiative aims to strengthen and sustain smaller firms.
THE LAW
A9 campaigner demands action on speeders
Laura Hansler, from the A9 Dual Action Group, is urging stricter laws against speeding on the A9 after a Press And Journal analysis revealed alarming statistics. The worst offender this year was a Volvo driver caught at 129mph on the Inverness to Perth stretch. Hansler described these speeds as "absolutely inexcusable" and expressed concern for both reckless drivers and innocent road users. She stated: "They're going at these horrendous speeds and are going to kill themselves and completely innocent parties. It sickens me." The call for action highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures.
ENERGY
Hydropower business rates battle heads to court
The legal dispute over business rates for Scotland's small hydropower sector has escalated to court after a decade of contention. The case, Connell Renewables Limited v. The Assessor for Highland and Western Isles Valuation Joint Board, began at the Upper Tribunal in Edinburgh and is expected to last five days. Alexander Linklater, executive director of Alba Energy, stated: "After more than ten years of legal wrangling, this is finally the moment of truth." The outcome could significantly impact small hydro operators facing substantial backdated rates.
CASES
'No further action' over Cowgate coach death
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has released a statement confirming that "no further action" will be taken in relation to the death of 74-year-old Michael Leneghan, who died after being struck by a coach on Edinburgh's Cowgate last November. The incident took place while the area was busy with revellers due to the proximity of Halloween and a rugby match between Scotland and Fiji, and while campaigners have criticised the layout of the street with regard to pedestrian safety, a police investigation found the layout of the street and footpath were "unlikely to have been contributing factors" to Mr Leneghan's death.
Assault charge after harmful substance attack
Gwen Dempster, 51, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court charged with multiple offences, including assault to injury and impairment. The charges stem from an incident on November 9, where a 46-year-old woman was injured by a 'harmful substance' thrown in Buchanan Street. Emergency services responded around 6.20pm, and the victim was hospitalised.
FIRMS
MJC Law wins High Street Firm of the Year
MJC Law has been named High Street Firm of the Year at The Herald Law Awards of Scotland 2025 — the first firm in Renfrewshire to win the title. Judges praised its strategic growth, financial strength, and commitment to accessible, community-focused legal services. Director Matthew Coffield said the award reflects the team’s hard work and dedication.
WORKFORCE
Home care workers rally against lone working
The GMB trade union has organised a torch-lit rally of home care workers outside Glasgow City Chambers to call for greater protections to be put in place for carers working at night. GMB Scotland said a survey of its predominantly female home care members found that 89% felt scared while working alone, and that almost half had experienced intimidation, abuse or violence while working. GMB organiser John Slaven said the union has "given notice… that we need change. If we don't get change, we won't be demonstrating, we'll be taking industrial action. Lone working is on the way out. It's not if, it's when. This is the start."

 
STV
TRANSPORT
Scots bus company faces legal action
All 11 passengers on a Lothian bus required paramedic treatment after the vehicle crashed into a telecoms mast in Edinburgh on November 3. Five passengers were taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for assessment. Thompsons Solicitors is initiating legal action on behalf of the injured, asserting that Lothian buses failed in their duty of care. Patrick McGuire, a partner at Thompsons, stated: "It's clear that the bus operator is liable for this accident and the injuries suffered by their passengers."
Aberdeen City Council battles bus gate fines
Aberdeen City Council is set to defend its controversial bus gates in court tomorrow. The local authority has issued over 100,000 fines in the past two years. Retailer Norman Esslemont represents local businesses challenging the legality of the bus gates, claiming they were not lawfully made permanent. Esslemont stated: "We believe these measures are unjust and not properly enacted." STV says the outcome of this case could significantly impact local businesses and the council's enforcement practices.

 
STV
MEDIA
Duke of Sussex faces ANL in court
Lawyers for the Duke of Sussex and other high-profile claimants are in a legal dispute with Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over disclosure practices ahead of their trial. The claimants, including Sir Elton John and Baroness Doreen Lawrence, allege ANL engaged in unlawful activities, such as hiring private investigators. ANL denies these claims, calling them "preposterous." At a recent hearing, Mr Justice Nicklin ruled that documents held by a research team must be properly searched.
Trump threatens BBC with $1bn lawsuit
Donald Trump has threatened to target the BBC with a $1bn lawsuit after the broadcaster doctored a speech made by the US President in a Panorama documentary. His legal team has demanded a retraction, an apology, and compensation by 5pm on Friday. Mr Trump's lawyer, Alejandro Brito, said that the BBC's actions caused significant financial and reputational harm to the President. The controversy over the editing of a speech made by Mr Trump has seen the resignation of BBC Director-General Tim Davie and Deborah Turness, the chief executive of BBC News.
INTERNATIONAL
Supreme Court upholds same-sex marriage
The US Supreme Court has declined to overturn its 2015 decision legalising same-sex marriage. The justices dismissed an appeal from Kim Davis, a former Kentucky court clerk who refused to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples. Davis sought to challenge a lower-court ruling that ordered her to pay $360,000 (£273,384) in damages to a couple she denied a licence.
ECONOMY
Labour call for focus on regional growth
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has launched a new regional economic growth report commissioned by the party, prepared by economist Prof. Sir Anton Muscatelli. Launching the report, Mr Sarwar argued that for "two decades, Scottish politics has been an economics-free zone", and that under the SNP "economic growth has been ignored and the unique potential of communities across Scotland has been held back by an Edinburgh-centric view of the economy". Scottish Labour, he said, "is determined to learn from experts like Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli to ensure we have a plan that is ready to deliver the growth and prosperity we need. As First Minister, I will end the economics-free zone at Holyrood and push power out and into our communities to empower entrepreneurs and kick-start growth."
OTHER
Court officers leave behind lasting legacy
Two public servants, William Paterson and John Bloczynski, have died within days of each other. Paterson, aged 83, retired as a police sergeant after 33 years, while Bloczynski, 61, served as a court officer. Both men contributed significantly to the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service. Their funerals are scheduled for this week, with tributes highlighting their dedication and character.
 


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