A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

Scotland's prisons are breaching the UN 'Nelson Mandela rules', according to the Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland, due to severe overcrowding. With around 8,515 inmates in a system designed for 8,007, cells are being shared beyond capacity, sometimes mixing remand and convicted prisoners. Inspectors report restricted access to medication, exercise, and meals, and conditions likened to a "segregation unit". The Justice Secretary acknowledged critically high numbers and said measures are underway to reduce population and expand capacity, including early release schemes. However officials admit these steps are insufficient to address the scale of the prison safety and capacity crisis.

 

STV

Herald Scotland

The Press and Journal

The Scotsman

 

The SNP was informed three days before Peter Murrell's court appearance that he intended to plead guilty to embezzlement, after the Crown Office told the party's solicitor following agreement of a plea deal. Prosecutors said it was routine to notify victims of major developments. However, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said the third tip-off indicated that the governing party had received preferential treatment. Meanwhile, Senior Crown Office figures have suggested Murrell's embezzlement may have begun earlier than the offences he admitted. Murrell pleaded guilty to offences between 2010 and 2022, but had been chief executive of the SNP since 2001. John Logue, head of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said an investigation into his first nine years as party chief executive was "unlikely" to uncover new evidence leading to charges due to difficulties in obtaining historical records and the fading memories of witnesses.

 

The Times

Herald Scotland

The liquidators of PPE Medpro have launched legal action against six individuals and five companies, including Baroness Michelle Mone and Doug Barrowman, in a bid to recover millions owed to the UK government. The firm was ordered to repay £122m after supplying non-compliant surgical gowns during the pandemic and entered liquidation in 2025. Separate tax and criminal investigations are also under way.

 

BBC News

Chris Reilly, former finance director at Dundee University, has initiated legal action against the institution after a contentious exit. He claims he resigned during a heated argument with principal Professor Nigel Seaton on July 1, 2025, contradicting the university's assertion that he left by mutual consent. The tribunal is examining conflicting accounts of the incident, with university representatives disputing Reilly's claims.

 

The Courier

 

Lindsays has agreed to merge with Glasgow-based Dallas McMillan from 1 September, strengthening its presence in the west of Scotland and expanding its Glasgow workforce from 80 to 123. The deal, Lindsays' latest in a series of strategic mergers, will raise total staff numbers to 417. Both firms said the move would broaden client services, create career opportunities and involve no job losses.

 

The Scotsman

Shoosmiths has introduced a generative AI tool, developed in collaboration with Microsoft, to assist junior lawyers in contract reviews. The tool, named Project Apollo, aims to enhance learning and transparency in the reviewing process. The firm will ensure that a senior lawyer will always review outputs from the tool.

 

City AM

All migrants with limited leave to remain will be allowed to stand as councillors in next year's Scottish local elections under updated SNP legislation, ministers have confirmed. The move follows a legal gap affecting Commonwealth citizens. The Scottish Government plans a short Bill to resolve inconsistencies before the 2027 polls.

 

Daily Mail (Scot)

A meeting of City of Edinburgh Council's finance and resources committee has seen members back a motion calling for alternative forms of compensation to be considered for council workers who were denied a one-off bank holiday to mark the start of Scotland's World Cup campaign. Cllr Mandy Watt, who brought the motion, said that a suitable measure, like an additional day of leave, would acknowledge staff "who had kept the city going and kept the schools open".

 

STV

Edinburgh Evening News

Herald Scotland

Steven Lyons, one of Scotland's most notorious gangland figures, has been extradited to Spain after losing a legal challenge in the Netherlands. Arrested in Bali in March, he is wanted on charges including drug trafficking, money laundering and alleged involvement in a 2024 murder, amid a long-running gang feud.

 

BBC News