A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
27th March 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Campaign calls for abortion law reform in Scotland
Campaigners, led by the group "Let’s Change the Act", are calling for abortion to be decriminalised in Scotland, arguing current laws are outdated and not aligned with modern healthcare. They want the Abortion Act 1967 replaced with a health-based system. Under existing rules, abortion remains governed by criminal law and requires approval from two doctors, which campaigners say creates delays and barriers, particularly in rural areas. Supporters argue reform would protect bodily autonomy and reduce the risk of prosecutions, noting recent changes in England and Wales and warning Scotland risks falling behind without action.

Digital Transformation in Conveyancing: A Roadmap for Scottish Property Law Firms

Conveyancing in Scotland is reaching a tipping point. While firms have access to more technology than ever before, many are still held back by manual processes, fragmented systems, and growing administrative pressure. The gap is no longer about awareness, it’s about execution. Leading firms are already taking a more strategic, phased approach to digital transformation, using technology to remove friction, improve compliance, and unlock capacity across their teams.

Those who act now are setting the pace for the future of property law.

Read more to see what the most forward-thinking firms are doing differently, and how your firm can keep up.

 
TAX
Swinney declines to rule out further tax rises
John Swinney has declined to rule out further income tax increases if the Scottish National Party wins May’s Scottish Parliament election, saying future plans will be set out in its manifesto. He rejected claims the SNP had broken its 2021 pledge to freeze income tax rates, arguing economic conditions had changed significantly. Recent changes include a 1p rise on the top two rates and the introduction of a new 45p "advanced" rate on earnings above £75,000. Swinney also warned that a lack of an SNP majority could lead to cooperation between Labour and Reform UK, a claim strongly denied by Anas Sarwar. The exchange highlights key dividing lines as campaigning intensifies ahead of the vote.


Inksters are supporting the ABS Scotland Group as founding members and with Brian Inkster being a member of the committee.

The Group was born out of frustration with the Law Society of Scotland’s delays in implementing Alternative Business Structures (or Licensed Legal Service Providers) in Scotland.

By 2025, there had already been a 15-year delay in implementation following on from the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. There was hope that the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 would speed the process up. However, instead, the Law Society of Scotland announced a freeze of at least another two years on doing anything at all on ABS.

The main objective of the Group is to encourage and facilitate the introduction of ABS to Scotland.

You can join the ABS Scotland Group by completing the membership application form.

 
TECHNOLOGY
PM looks to crackdown on 'addictive' social media
The Prime Minister has said he will tackle "addictive features" in social media following a landmark US court verdict which held Meta and YouTube responsible for harms caused by designing addictive technology. "The status quo isn't good enough," Sir Keir Starmer said. "We need to do more to protect children. That's why we're consulting about issues such as banning social media for under-16s. I'm very keen that we do more on addictive features within social media." Amnesty International said the court decision showed such platforms are "unsafe by design" while Human Rights Watch said it was "a rare accounting of tech companies' decisions to build products that have ignored the best interests of children."
Apple's new ID checks described as akin to 'ransomware'
Apple’s mandatory age verification checks for iPhone and iPad users in the UK have been welcomed by Ofcom, but privacy groups argue the move, introduced by the latest iOS update, had "crossed the Rubicon" by introducing device-level checks. Silkie Carlo, Big Brother Watch director, described the update as "more like ransomware" as it effectively forces users to hand over sensitive personal data or face restricted access.
EU probes Snapchat over child safety concerns
Snapchat is under investigation by European Commission over child protection concerns. Regulators are examining whether its age verification systems adequately prevent under-13s from accessing the platform under the Digital Services Act. Snapchat said it is cooperating fully and working to meet required safety standards. The EU is also moving forward with an investigation into pornography platforms, including PornHub and XVideos.
CRIME
Crime rises in Inverclyde, Police Scotland data shows
New figures from Police Scotland show crime in Inverclyde rose 15.6% in the nine months to December 2025, with more than 5,000 offences recorded. Violent crime increased slightly, while road traffic offences rose 32%. Retail-related theft drove a 20% rise in dishonesty crimes, though housebreaking and fire-raising fell to multi-year lows.
PLANNING
Court backs council in £21m housing funding dispute
The Court of Session has upheld South Ayrshire Council’s decision to refuse a £21m funding request for a housing development, rejecting a legal challenge by Allanvale Homes. Judges ruled the council acted lawfully, citing risks around subsidy rules and value for money. Councillors said the proposal could have severely impacted finances, while the authority now plans to recover legal costs from the developer.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Moray Council finance practices questioned after audit
An audit of Moray Council has raised concerns over financial controls, uncovering pre-signed blank cheques, duplicate payments, and unauthorised pre-payments. A £23,355 duplicate payment was later recovered. Councillors questioned governance standards, while officials cited transaction volumes but acknowledged a need for stronger staff training and tighter compliance with financial procedures.
CASES
Probe into firefighter’s death continues amid delays
Dorothy Bain, The Lord Advocate, has met the widow of firefighter Barry Martin, who died after the 2023 Jenners fire in Edinburgh, acknowledging frustrations over delays in the investigation. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said it is awaiting a key report from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, expected in mid-April, before deciding on potential criminal proceedings. The inquiry is examining the circumstances of Mr Martin’s death, including safety and possible liability. His family has raised concerns about the time taken and the conditions in which he was deployed. Authorities said the investigation is complex and ongoing, with further updates planned.
Judge criticises council dissolution over member dispute
The Court of Session has criticised the dissolution of Ardgay and District Community Council, ruling it had no lawful basis to remove member Samantha Kane. Kane, also known as Lady Carbisdale, is a transgender businesswoman who bought Carbisdale Castle in 2022. Lord Arthurson said the council effectively "pressed the nuclear button" by dissolving itself to exclude her. The ruling supports Kane’s challenge and raises concerns about governance, accountability and how community councils manage internal disputes.

 

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