A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
17th July 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
MP calls for inquiry into Sturgeon and Murrell case
Former Conservative cabinet minister David Davis has used parliamentary privilege to accuse former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of misleading the public about her knowledge of former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell's embezzlement and called for a judicial inquiry into the wider affair. Davis also questioned aspects of the Crown Office's handling of the investigation, including the role of prosecutors and the Lord Advocate. Sturgeon rejected the allegations as "conspiracy theories" and reiterated she had no knowledge of Murrell's offending. Prosecutors previously concluded there was insufficient evidence to bring any charges against her.

How to Launch a Successful Scottish Law Firm in 2026

Legal skill alone no longer guarantees a stable, profitable practice. For firms launching in Scotland this year, success increasingly depends on the structure behind the scenes: the right business model, integrated technology, tight financial control, and compliance built into everyday workflows rather than bolted on afterwards.

This article from Denovo's Grant Yuill explores the decisions that shape a new firm from its very first client file, from choosing a practice structure and meeting Law Society of Scotland requirements, to using AI and workflow automation, integrated case management and billing, and business intelligence tools that reveal the true gap between workload and profitability.

The takeaway? Growth requires visibility, and better data leads to better decisions on staffing, pricing and service delivery.

Read the full article to find out how to build a firm that scales. 

 
INDUSTRY
Fatal work injuries decline, but slowly
Writing in The Scotsman, Kevin Bridges, partner and head of health and safety at Pinsent Masons, says proposed Health and Safety Executive changes to work-related death reporting aim to improve the quality of incident data and reduce unnecessary reports. He notes the latest HSE figures show 126 workers were killed in work-related incidents in 2025-26, with construction accounting for the highest number of fatalities. Bridges argues any changes must balance improved reporting with the need for accurate data to support effective regulation and enforcement.
Lady Ross joins Lawscot Foundation board
Lady Ross has joined the Lawscot Foundation Board as a trustee, replacing Lord Ericht after nine years of service. The charity, which supports aspiring lawyers from less-advantaged backgrounds in Scotland, thanked Lord Ericht for his longstanding commitment to widening access to the legal profession. Lawscot Foundation Chair Kay McCorquodale welcomed Lady Ross, who said she looked forward to supporting the charity's work creating opportunities for future lawyers. The appointment maintains the Scottish judiciary's longstanding support for the Foundation.

 
THE LAW
Burnham's administration to stay neutral on assisted dying
Andy Burnham's Government is likely to remain neutral on the assisted dying Bill, which was reintroduced by Labour MP Lauren Edwards. The Bill, identical to its previous version, aims to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to seek assisted death. Despite support from Sir Keir Starmer, Burnham's stance may reflect concerns about political capital and prioritising his agenda.
FIRMS
Elite law firms struggle in US
Elite UK law firms are facing significant challenges in entering the US market, writes Maria Ward-Brennan in City AM, primarily due to fierce competition for talent and high partner compensation. Many firms, including four-fifths of the magic circle, are attempting to establish a presence in New York. But English firms are finding it difficult to replicate the success of US firms that have moved into London over the past decade due to the cost of large compensation packages.
CASES
Pressure grows over Glasgow legal costs claim
Pressure is mounting on Glasgow City Council to explain its decision to pursue former Glasgow City Parents Group chair Leanne McGuire for almost £43,000 in legal costs following an unsuccessful judicial review over proposed teacher cuts. The issue has been raised in the Scottish Parliament, with calls for the council to reconsider recovering the costs and clarify how the decision was made. Glasgow City Council said seeking legal costs from the unsuccessful party is standard practice, adding public funds had been used to defend a petition that the court ruled had no realistic prospect of success.
TAX
East Lothian staff owe £860,000 in council tax arrears
East Lothian Council is pursuing more than £860,000 in unpaid council tax from current employees, according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act. Around £190,000 relates to 2025-26 arrears, with outstanding debts stretching back a decade. The council said some employees may have accrued arrears before joining the authority but confirmed staff are subject to the same recovery procedures as other residents and could face disciplinary action if they fail to repay debts. Overall council tax arrears across the local authority total almost £4.5m, with around £99,000 written off over the past 10 years.
FINANCE
Edinburgh gift shops face enforcement action
Several gift shops operating from the Princes Street building destroyed by fire last week had recently been raided by enforcement officers over unpaid business rates. Edinburgh City Council confirmed it had taken action against the company responsible for the premises, with stock reportedly seized as part of debt recovery efforts. Council leader Jane Meagher said businesses that deliberately avoid paying non-domestic rates undermine public services and unfairly disadvantage compliant firms, adding that the council will continue using legal enforcement powers to recover unpaid debts.
TECHNOLOGY
TikTok faces Ofcom probe over child age checks
Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into TikTok over concerns regarding its age verification methods. The regulator believes these methods may inadequately identify a significant number of children, exposing them to harmful content. The inquiry coincides with the UK Government's plans to implement a social media ban for under-16s, increasing scrutiny on age verification practices across platforms.
COVID
Covid inquiry costs soar to £322m
The Covid inquiry has cost taxpayers over £322m, according to official figures. The Government has spent more than £122m on legal advice and staff for evidence preparation, in addition to the estimated £200m cost of the inquiry itself.
FRAUD
Police officer faces attempted fraud charge
A Police Scotland officer has appeared in court accused of attempting to fraudulently conceal £4,600 during divorce proceedings. Michelle McFadden, 46, is alleged to have provided false information about a Scottish Police Credit Union account and forged documents to misrepresent her financial position. No plea was entered and the case was continued for a further hearing next month.
OTHER
University of Aberdeen employee charged over social media posts
A University of Aberdeen employee has been arrested and charged by Police Scotland over social media posts made following the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe. Heather Herbert, a web developer at the university, is accused of making offensive comments on the Bluesky platform. Police Scotland said a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. The University of Aberdeen said it is reviewing the matter through its internal processes and is co-operating with the police investigation.

 

Legal Slice delivers the latest, most relevant, and useful legal intelligence each weekday morning with intelligence, designed specifically for legal professionals, including attorneys, practice owners, judges, legal scholars, and influencers.

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in Legal Slice, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on Twitter.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Legal Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe