A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
24th August 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Equality watchdog warns Scotland over Human Rights Bill
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has warned that Scotland's proposed Human Rights Bill must complement, rather than duplicate or replace, protections under the UK Equality Act 2010. Concerns have focused on plans requiring public bodies to consider "gender identity", which campaigners say could conflict with the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling that sex in the Equality Act refers to biological sex. Campaign group For Women Scotland warned the legislation could face a further legal challenge. The Scottish Government said it accepts the Supreme Court judgment and will not seek to overturn it, while updating relevant policies and guidance. Ministers said they would continue consulting the EHRC as the bill is developed.

 
SENTENCING
Prison plan puts victims at risk
Scotland's proposed prison reforms are under scrutiny as Victim Support Scotland (VSS) warns that releasing sex offenders and domestic abusers early poses an "increased risk" to victims. The charity argues that these offenders should be excluded from early release schemes due to the potential for future harm. VSS's submission to the Scottish Government's consultation highlights concerns that reducing custodial sentences could undermine victim confidence and discourage crime reporting. VSS said: "Releasing prisoners convicted of serious sexual and violent crimes who have not been effectively rehabilitated is seriously concerning." The Scottish Government's plans are still pending approval.

 
CASES
Community group faces £10,000 café access claim
A community association on Great Bernera in the Western Isles is facing financial pressure from a legal dispute over an assistance dog's access to a volunteer-run café. American resident Claire Kellerman initially sued the island's development trust, which incurred more than £7,000 in legal costs before her lawyers accepted it was the wrong organisation. The claim has since been redirected to the Bernera Community Association, which runs the café, with Kellerman seeking £10,000 and alleging disability discrimination and harassment. Labour MSP Donald MacKinnon has asked the Scottish Legal Aid Board to urgently review the continued funding of the case. The board said the application had been assessed properly and in accordance with its rules.
Glasgow councillor wins ruling over ethical watchdog
A senior judge has ruled that Scotland's ethical watchdog acted unlawfully by preventing Glasgow councillor Fiona Higgins from using seven documents in her misconduct hearing over social media posts criticising a senior council official. Lord Sandison said the material was relevant to establishing the factual basis for her comments and assessing her Article 10 freedom of expression defence. He found the Standards Commission for Scotland had “shut its ears” to her submissions and said its decisions had “no logic to them”. The case concerns posts accusing a former Glasgow finance director of misleading councillors and the public over proposed teacher cuts, after Higgins obtained internal emails through freedom of information laws.
Factory manager jailed over £300,000 ghost-worker fraud
Factory manager Kamil Mielczarek has been jailed for 27 months after stealing £300,000 from East Lothian Produce through a three-year "ghost workers" scheme. The 43-year-old forged timesheets and invoices using relatives’ names, directing bogus wage payments into accounts controlled by him and colleague Viktorija Lukjanova. The pair divided the proceeds, which Mielczarek spent partly on business-class holidays and payments to his family in Poland.
Father and son jailed over £900,000 cannabis haul
Stephen Harding, 67, and his son Bradley Harding, 37, have been jailed after attempting to smuggle cannabis worth more than £903,000 into Scotland. Border Force officers stopped the pair at Glasgow Airport in November 2024 after they arrived from Thailand carrying four suitcases containing dozens of vacuum-sealed packages. Stephen received a two-year sentence, while Bradley was jailed for three years and two months.
INDUSTRY
Information Commissioner accuses Scottish Government of secrecy
Scotland’s Information Commissioner David Hamilton has accused the Scottish Government's legal directorate of acting as a "praetorian guard" for the First Minister instead of serving the public. He cited delays in releasing documents concerning the inquiry into Nicola Sturgeon’s conduct, which resulted in the Government being found in contempt of court. Hamilton also criticised prosecutors for failing to explain key Operation Branchform decisions, including why Sturgeon was not charged and why an investigation into missing SNP donations was dropped. He said he could compel bodies such as Police Scotland to release relevant material where disclosure serves the public interest. The Government defended its freedom-of-information record, while prosecutors stressed the importance of confidentiality.
Families renew calls for inquiry into Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash
Relatives of the 29 people killed in the 1994 RAF Chinook crash on the Mull of Kintyre are urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to support a new independent investigation. Jamie Jauncey, son of the judge who led a 2002 House of Lords inquiry, said his father would have been horrified that families still lacked answers. Lord Jauncey rejected the RAF’s decision to blame pilots Jonathan Tapper and Rick Cook, who were formally cleared in 2011. Campaigners argue that previous inquiries did not consider later evidence suggesting MoD test personnel had serious concerns about the aircraft’s safety. The Ministry of Defence maintains that the crash was a tragic accident but says it will continue engaging with the families.
Five new solicitor advocates granted extended rights
Five new solicitor advocates have been granted extended rights of audience by the Law Society of Scotland at a ceremony at the Court of Session. The appointments allow Kelly Brotherhood, John Callender, Scott Flannigan, Martin Kotsev and David McGowan to appear in Scotland’s highest courts, the UK Supreme Court and Privy Council.
EMPLOYMENT
Unions question zero-hours contracts plan
Trade unions have warned that proposed rules implementing Labour’s ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts risk falling short of the party’s manifesto commitment. Usdaw, GMB and Unite are concerned that an upper hours threshold and a proposed "regularity requirement" could exclude significant numbers of workers from the right to guaranteed-hours contracts, creating loopholes that would weaken the reforms. The TUC has also rejected business claims that the measures could cost employers up to £2.9bn a year as "scaremongering," arguing that much of the estimated cost assumes no changes in employers’ scheduling practices.
CRIME
Glasgow car fire raises fears of renewed gang violence
Police are investigating a deliberate vehicle fire at Kelvinside Motor Company in Kirkintilloch amid concerns that gang violence may be returning to Glasgow. The same garage was targeted by an arson attack in April 2025 and had been visited by officers following a disturbance days before the latest fire. Nobody was injured, and Police Scotland has not confirmed any connection to its Operation Portaledge investigation.
OTHER
Scotland’s first XL Bully sanctuary secures licence
Scotland's first XL Bully sanctuary has received official approval after Angus councillors granted All Bullie Charity Rescue a 12-month animal welfare licence, following two previous refusals. Around 25 dogs have been housed at the facility since 2024, and a recent inspection identified marked improvements in record-keeping, hygiene and security. The licence limits the sanctuary to 27 dogs and requires inspections every three months.

 
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