A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

More than 2,000 people in Scotland have died in hospital since 2021 while classified as delayed discharge, meaning they were medically fit to leave but remained due to a lack of suitable care arrangements. Figures from regional health boards also show patients have spent over 720,000 unnecessary days in hospital in recent years. Critics, including opposition politicians, say delays increase pressure on NHS services and can negatively affect patient wellbeing. Delayed discharge is often linked to shortages in community or social care provision. The Scottish Government, represented by Neil Gray, said efforts are ongoing to address the issue, including increased investment in social care, though challenges remain.

 

Daily Mail (Scot)

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.

 

Restraint practices in Scottish schools have come under scrutiny following a BBC investigation into Skye House, the largest children's psychiatric hospital in Scotland. Calum Morrison, restrained at age 11, suffered trauma and injuries without parental notification. His mother, Beth, alongside other parents, gathered over 3,000 cases of restraint since 2017, revealing that 91% involved children with autism or ADHD. The Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill, known as Calum's Law, has now passed, aiming to improve safety for disabled children. Dr Simon Webster from Enable emphasised the need for proper support and training for teachers to implement this law effectively.

 

Herald Scotland

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.

 

Pinsent Masons has officially relocated to a new office in Glasgow, occupying over 31,000 square feet at Aurora on Bothwell Street. This space will house around 260 lawyers and support staff. The move signifies a substantial investment by the firm, showcasing its "continued confidence in the city as a major UK business and financial centre," according to a spokesperson.

 

The Scotsman

Shoosmiths has announced eight promotions within its corporate, employment, and litigation teams in Scotland, effective from 1 April. Kimberley Goh has been promoted to corporate partner due to her strong performance in M&A transactions. Other promotions include Jenn Wright to legal director and Grace Watson, Samantha Mackie, and Seonaid Sandham to principal associate. The firm aims to enhance its presence in the Scottish market as part of its 2030 strategy.

 

Scottish Legal News

John Swinney is facing criticism for not responding to a request by North Lanarkshire councillor Greg Lennon to investigate the SNP's complaints process related to Jordan Linden, a former SNP member recently convicted of multiple sexual offences. The request, sent six months prior, was backed by concerns from former SNP councillors about safeguarding issues, which they alleged were met with harassment and unfounded complaints. Following Linden's conviction, Swinney issued an apology to the victims and announced a probe into the SNP's complaints handling, asserting the need for robust procedures to protect individuals and ensure thorough scrutiny.

 

The Daily Record

The Herald

The Scotsman

The Scottish National Party has been criticised over claims that public funding for charities may influence their positions on government policies. Analysis suggests Scottish charities are relatively reliant on state funding, with 19% from grants and 28% from contracts, and some organisations receiving the majority of their income from government sources. Some charity figures reported perceived pressure to align with policy positions, though no explicit conditions on funding were evidenced. Critics argue this may limit independent scrutiny, while others highlight differences with England and Wales, where safeguards on lobbying and criticism are stronger. The Scottish Government has rejected claims of interference, stating it is appropriate for charities to engage in policy and campaigning activity.

 

The Sunday Times

Claire Macpherson, a partner at MFMAC, writes in the Scotsman that upcoming inheritance tax changes will significantly affect family businesses and farms. From April, reliefs will be capped at £2.5m, exposing larger estates to a 20% tax on excess value. This reduces the effectiveness of traditional succession tools such as trusts and may accelerate a shift towards structures like family investment companies. With relatively few firms surviving multiple generations, she stresses the need for earlier, proactive succession planning to balance tax efficiency with control and long-term continuity.

 

The Scotsman

Business leaders in Scotland have urged the next Government to minimise tax and regulation divergence in order to support entrepreneurs and economic growth. An open letter from five major business groups calls for reform of the planning system, grid improvements, and sustainable funding for education, along with a credible housing plan. Concerns over the disparity in income tax rates between Scotland and the rest of the UK are highlighted, noting that higher taxes complicate staffing in key industries. The groups emphasise that avoiding unnecessary policy divergence and aligning the skills system with economic needs are essential for raising living standards. The upcoming hustings event will feature various political leaders amidst warnings of significant financial challenges ahead.

 

The Times

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has called for a reform of council tax in Scotland, labelling it a "subsidy for the better-off." Chris Birt, associate director of JRF, stated that wealthier homeowners should contribute more to alleviate poverty. He highlighted that over 1m Scots live in poverty, including 200,000 children. Birt noted that the current system, established in 1993, disproportionately burdens lower-income households. He urged political parties to agree on a "genuinely proportionate property tax" to address these issues, as inflation continues to drive up council tax rates.

 

The Daily Record

Steven Lyons, a prominent figure in Scotland's organised crime, has been arrested in Bali following a two-year investigation. Police Scotland confirmed his arrest, which is part of a larger operation targeting the Lyons crime group. This operation involved dawn raids across multiple locations in Scotland, resulting in eight arrests. The group is suspected of drug trafficking and money laundering, with connections to Spain and the UAE. The European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation stated that the Lyons group is involved in transporting large quantities of drugs, including cocaine, into Scotland.

 

STV	The Daily Record

Weapons offences in Inverclyde have increased by 10.6%, with 155 recorded incidents over nine months, including 75 related to other crimes such as threatening behaviour and vandalism. Police Scotland released this data for the local police and fire scrutiny panel meeting on April 2, 2025. They noted efforts to combat weapon-related crime in the community, including programmes like "No Knives, Better Lives", targeting schools and engaging with local groups to address antisocial behaviour.

 

Greenock Telegraph

Ellie Crampsie, a 23-year-old Scottish social media influencer, faces potential jail time after being caught with over 17 kilos of cannabis at Edinburgh Airport. The drugs, valued between £115,000 and £151,000, were discovered in her luggage upon her return from Thailand. Crampsie pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis during her court appearance on March 26.

 

The Daily Record

Germany and allied states are advancing plans for "return hubs" outside the EU for rejected asylum seekers. The European Parliament recently approved the Return Regulation, aimed at expediting deportation processes. Alexander Dobrindt, Germany's interior minister, stated: "We aim to have reached agreements with third countries by the end of this year." Critics, including Amnesty International, warn of potential human rights violations, while supporters view the legislation as a necessary response to illegal migration. The proposed hubs may be located in Africa, with Uganda and Mauritania mentioned as possible hosts.

 

Daily Mail

The Times

Celtic Football Club has settled a five-figure out-of-court claim related to historic abuse at Celtic Boys Club. The claim was initiated by a man who alleged he was assaulted by Frank Cairney in 1989. Initially denying liability, Celtic has now acknowledged the claim. Richard Pitts from Digby Brown Solicitors praised the client's perseverance, highlighting the importance of seeking justice.

 

STV

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has initiated a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the death of Paul Gorman, a 52-year-old sex offender who died on December 25, 2021, while in custody at HMP Kilmarnock. Gorman had been remanded for over two years and was previously convicted for bribing a 13-year-old girl to send explicit images. Lorraine Almond of COPFS stated: "The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Paul Gorman occurred whilst he was in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory." A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 6 at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

 

Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald

Scotland’s housing emergency will enter its third year in May, with demand continuing to outstrip supply. Around 693,000 households are in housing need, 250,000 people are on waiting lists, and more than 10,000 children live in temporary accommodation. A shortfall of over 110,000 homes since 2008 has worsened affordability, overcrowding and access to housing, particularly for families and key workers. Industry group Homes for Scotland has launched a campaign urging action ahead of elections, calling for faster planning, increased investment and more land release. Campaigners stress housing’s wider importance for economic growth, health and communities, warning urgent, coordinated action is needed.

 

The Daily Record

Glasgow City Council reported a record 9,337 homeless individuals, including 3,367 children, living in temporary accommodation. Between January 1 and February 12, authorities discovered 203 individuals sleeping rough. Maeve McGoldrick of Crisis Scotland described the situation as "an indictment of where we are just now." She highlighted that Glasgow is under immense pressure due to Home Office decisions affecting asylum seekers.

 

The Daily Record

Councillors in Dundee have approved new daily checks for taxi drivers, focusing on tyre pressure, brakes, oil levels, and steering. A recent report revealed that over 50% of taxis failed random roadside tests last year. In a recent operation, 33 out of 64 inspected taxis failed. Comparatively, only 13% of taxis in Angus and 5% in Fife failed their annual tests. Committee convener Stewart Hunter stated: "For a number of years now, 50% of our taxis are failing their tests. That is not acceptable." The new measures aim to enhance safety for both drivers and passengers.

 

BBC News

Edinburgh City Council issued only one £80 littering fine between 2024 and 2025, despite handing out over 346,000 parking tickets. In contrast, Glasgow Council issued 335 littering fines and reported 32,215 fly-tipping incidents. Barry Fisher, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, noted: "Enforcement is only part of the solution; we need behaviour change." He highlighted that budget cuts have affected how environmental crimes are managed. The report indicates that 71 councils in the UK did not issue any littering fines last year, raising concerns about enforcement effectiveness.

 

Edinburgh Evening News

Edinburgh Council's trading standards officers seized nearly 16,000 illicit cigarettes and 6kg of hand-rolling tobacco during raids on March 25. The operation, described as "excellent work" by the council, was intelligence-led and conducted in partnership with Police Scotland. The council highlighted the importance of disrupting illegal trading to protect communities and legitimate businesses.

 

Edinburgh Evening News

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will announce its final plans for a compensation scheme today, addressing a car finance scandal affecting 14m deals from 2007 to 2024. Proposed payouts average £700, totalling an estimated £11bn. FCA chief executive Nikhil Rathi noted last week that the consultation received over 1,000 responses, with conflicting feedback. He told MPs: "It's more likely than not that we will go ahead with the scheme." Lloyds Banking Group has set aside £1.95bn and Santander has taken a £478m hit. Barclays says it is on the hook for £325m, while Close Brothers has made £300m available. Meanwhile, the FCA will collaborated with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), and the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to combat misleading advertising in car finance. The taskforce aims to address issues such as unsolicited ads, meritless claims, and unfair exit fees. Alison Walters, FCA taskforce lead, said: "Our scheme will be free and people don't need to use a CMC or law firm."

 

Daily Express

Daily Mail

The I

The Independent

More than 50 British nationals have been detained in the UAE under local cybercrime laws, according to Radha Stirling, founder of Detained in Dubai. Many have reported abuse while imprisoned, including a British air steward arrested for sharing a photo of an Iranian drone crash. Detained individuals face severe penalties, including two years in jail and fines up to £40,000. Access to British consular staff has become "severely restricted," complicating their situations. An FCDO spokesperson confirmed that they are providing assistance to a small number of detained nationals.

 

The Times