A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

A group of 188 senior healthcare professionals in Scotland has expressed serious concerns about the Assisted Dying Bill. They argue that the bill lacks adequate safeguards, potentially increasing the risk of suicide through coercion, especially for vulnerable individuals. Dr Jonathan Blackwell, an NHS Lothian gastroenterologist, said: "The Bill as it stands does not contain sufficiently robust safeguards." Liam McArthur, who proposed the Bill, says it prioritises choice and protection. But critics including Professor June Andrews highlight the absence of comprehensive assessments for patients' needs. New polling indicates strong support for the Bill, with backing reaching 80% in Argyll and Bute and 87% in Banffshire and Buchan Coast.

 

thenational.scot

Herald Scotland

Why Failing to Upgrade Your Legal Software Could Be Hurting Your Firm’s Profitability

Hidden behind “the way we’ve always done it” are lost billable hours, slow billing cycles, frustrated staff, and missed revenue opportunities. While client expectations rise and competitors embrace smarter legal software systems, firms that delay upgrading risk falling quietly, but steadily, behind.

The real question isn’t whether new legal technology is worth the investment. It’s how much staying the same is already costing you.

Discover how modern legal software can unlock productivity, improve cash flow, and boost team satisfaction, and why failing to upgrade could be hurting your firm’s profitability.

Read more.

 

Scottish First Minister John Swinney has criticised Keir Starmer for allowing UK military bases to be used by the United States in strikes against Iranian missile sites, suggesting the US and Israel may have violated international law and warning that the action risks escalating the conflict. Swinney called for a diplomatic solution and stressed the need to protect the rights and safety of the Iranian people, while highlighting the impact on Scottish nationals in the region. In response, the Scottish Government has established a cross-departmental group to coordinate with the Foreign Office to provide consular support and ensure Scots can return home safely. He emphasised that external military intervention is rarely effective and urged international cooperation to de-escalate tensions.

 

thenational.scot

Herald Scotland

 

Scotland's Justice Secretary Angela Constance has called for a discussion on the rising use of short prison sentences. Despite a government presumption against sentences under one year, numbers have increased from 5,500 in 2020 to 7,400 in 2023. Ms Constance said: "Prison is an expensive way of making things worse," advocating for community payback orders as a better alternative. The Criminal Justice Committee has backed plans to reduce automatic release points for short-term prisoners to 30% of their sentence.

 

Daily Mail

MSPs are pressing Scottish ministers for an explanation regarding the lack of implementation of the Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Act 2020, passed six years ago. Karen Adam, convener of the equalities committee, highlighted the committee's ongoing concerns and lack of updates. She commented: "The committee asked for regular updates on progress towards implementation." Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart confirmed that the government aims to implement the law by the end of 2026, while existing protections remain in place for at-risk individuals.

 

Herald Scotland

Lord Mulholland has launched an updated version of A Guide to Scots Law, aimed at helping asylum seekers and refugees understand Scotland's legal system. Produced by North College Lanarkshire students, the guide covers various legal topics, including tenants' rights and employment law. It has been translated into thirteen languages and is available for free. Lord Mulholland clarified: "The law moves on and is constantly being updated... the second edition of the booklet is much needed."

 

Herald Scotland

The Government has announced stricter rules for asylum seekers, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood detailing new measures that will see those who break the law lose state-funded accommodation and financial support. The statutory legal duty to provide asylum seekers with support and accommodation will be replaced with a "conditional" system. The changes aim to ensure that only legitimate asylum seekers receive taxpayer assistance. The reforms also extend deportation powers to foreign criminals with suspended sentences of a year or more, potentially affecting thousands of individuals annually. Under the new rules, any foreign offender who has been handed a suspended sentence of at least 12 months will see their entry refused or visa revoked, regardless of when the crime took place. This lowers the threshold from the present 12-month jail sentence. Outlining the new, tougher rules, Ms Mahmood said: "Taxpayers cannot be expected to fund the lives of those who exploit the system or break our laws." The Conservatives said a plan to evict asylum seekers from hotels was a "gimmick," with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp saying: "Labour should put foreign criminals on a plane home, not on to British streets."

 

The Independent

Daily Mail

The Daily Telegraph

The I

The Times

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is set to outline plans for a compensation scheme linked to the mis-sold motor finance scandal later this month, with millions of drivers set to secure payouts. The City watchdog will detail the final rules for the redress scheme, with lenders expected to be given three to five months to make payments. The FCA said: "Even with an implementation period, streamlining the process means millions of people would receive compensation in 2026." The regulator, which is considering over 1,000 responses to its proposals for the industry-wide redress scheme, says it will streamline the process for consumers and firms, removing the opt out options and setting a three month deadline for lenders to tell consumers what they are owed and how much. The FCA also noted that changes being considered for the scheme would provide a "better experience for consumers" and "help keep the cost of delivering the scheme proportionate, supporting a well-functioning market for the millions of people that rely on it."

 

Sky News

City AM

Daily Mail

The Independent

The husband of Scottish Labour MP Joani Reid has been arrested, alongside two other men, on suspicion of spying for China. David Taylor, a former Welsh Labour adviser, remains in custody along with the other men, with searches carried out at properties in London, Wales, and East Kilbride. Reid stressed that neither she nor her children are part of the investigation and called for their privacy to be respected. She said: "I have never seen anything to make me suspect my husband has broken any law."

 

BBC News

The Independent

The Times

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is investigating Meta amid reports that subcontracted workers reviewed sensitive content captured by its AI smart glasses. An investigation by two Swedish newspapers found that workers in Kenya have been able to view users' private videos. The ICO has requested information from Meta regarding compliance with UK data protection laws.

 

BBC News

Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie has opened a new office in Aberdeen, focusing on private client services. Partners Colin McKenzie and Fiona Clarke will lead a team of six at the new location. Managing partner Fraser Gillies noted: "This is an exciting development and a great step forward for our firm." The expansion aims to meet increasing demand in the private client sector, driven by inheritance tax and regulatory changes. The new team joins WJM from Burness Paull, which is discontinuing its private client services.

 

Herald Scotland