A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
2nd September 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Scotland expands knife crime prevention with bleed kits
First Minister John Swinney has announced further measures to tackle knife crime and youth violence following several high-profile deaths. Community bleed kits will be rolled out across Scotland, alongside continued support for violence-prevention initiatives including No Knives, Better Lives, Youth Navigators and Mentors in Violence Prevention. Education programmes will emphasise the dangers and unacceptability of carrying knives and participating in violence. Swinney said recent deaths had profoundly affected families and communities. The measures form part of wider criminal justice plans combining punishment, prevention and rehabilitation, with the Government prioritising education and early intervention rather than introducing new offences or tougher sentencing measures.

 
INDUSTRY
Funding gap threatens specialist sexual offences court
No additional funding has been provided to establish Scotland’s planned specialist sexual offences court, according to Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) chief executive John Logue. The court, created under the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Act, is intended to improve complainers’ experiences, including allowing evidence to be given in advance and reducing delays. Logue said COPFS is working to implement the legislation but warned the new court represents a sizeable financial commitment. Scottish Conservative justice spokesman Stephen Kerr accused the Government of failing victims and demanded an explanation from Justice Secretary Neil Gray. The Scottish Government said some reforms have already been implemented and it continues to work with justice partners on plans for the remaining measures, including the court.

 
THE LAW
Legislation and targeted campaigns to tackle misogyny
The First Minister has said the Scottish Government will revive plans for legislation to address misogyny, to be accompanied with a multi-year public health campaign aimed at challenging misogynistic attitudes in boys and young men. John Swinney said ministers will "end the postcode lottery of service provision to ensure that every woman and girl, regardless of where she lives, has access to safe and sustainable services", including by establishing "a new, multi-year fund for specialist, third-sector, organisations". Liz Curran, speaking on behalf of the Scottish Rape Crisis Alliance, welcomed the commitments, and said it is "now time to put words into action".
Swinney stands firm on food price cap
John Swinney has said he is determined to implement a price cap on essential foods despite opposition from business groups. His spokesman stated that the Government is committed to this policy, which was part of their election manifesto. Swinney aims to use devolved powers to limit prices on staple items like bread and milk. However, business leaders, including David Thomson from the Food and Drink Federation Scotland, argue that this plan could exacerbate food inflation and fail to address underlying costs.
FIRMS
Lindsays expands with Dallas McMillan merger
Scottish legal firm Lindsays has expanded its Glasgow team by over 40 staff following its merger with Dallas McMillan. This deal, announced in June, increases Lindsays' total headcount to more than 420 across its offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Perth, and Crieff. Andrew Diamond, Lindsays' managing partner, stated: "Welcoming the team from Dallas McMillan marks the beginning of another exciting chapter for our firm." David McElroy, former managing partner of Dallas McMillan, noted the merger offers significant growth opportunities for both clients and staff. No jobs were lost in the merger.
CRIME
HSCP manager sentenced for theft of laptops and iPads
Bobby Lee Smith, a former manager at the Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), has been ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work after being found guilty of stealing 129 Chromebooks and 301 iPads earmarked for vulnerable service users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Glasgow and Strathkelvin procurator fiscal Fraser Gibson said Mr Smith had "committed an egregious betrayal of trust", and "took advantage of his position to embezzle equipment that was set aside to help some of the most vulnerable people in our society".
CASES
Assault case against DUP MP continues after three years
An assault case against DUP MP Jim Shannon has been ongoing for three years, Newtownards Magistrates’ Court has heard. Shannon, 71, is accused of assaulting a woman in October 2023. Prosecutors have requested further material from police, prompting his lawyer to question continued delays. An abuse of process application has been lodged. The case will return to court on September 29.
REGULATION
Lenders criticise FCA over motor finance redress
Three motor finance lenders have challenged the Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) £9.1bn redress scheme linked to the mis-selling scandal, claiming it misinterprets a Supreme Court ruling. Mercedes-Benz's financial services arm - which is challenging the scheme alongside Volkswagen Financial Services and Credit Agricole - argues that the City watchdog's "one-size-fits-all approach... risks sowing the seeds of failure for the scheme as a whole." The firm has also accused the FCA of "working backwards" to justify the redress scheme. The FCA said it plans to "robustly" defend the scheme at hearings in the Upper Tribunal.
LICENSING
Councillors back 'presumption against' new strip clubs
Councillors on Aberdeen City Council's licensing committee have backed the introduction of a "presumption against" the granting of new licences for sexual entertainment venues (SEVs), including for replacement businesses seeking to take over any of the city's existing five venues if they close down. While SEV owners have claimed the industry is being unfairly targeted and criticised a lack of consultation, convener Cllr Gill Al-Samarai said the committee "took care to balance the freedom of individuals to engage in legal employment and activities with the right to exercise appropriate control and regulation to ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of the staff and patrons".
HOLYROOD
First Minister announces 'radical reshaping of public services'
First Minister John Swinney has set out the Scottish Government's Programme for Government for this term, promising the "most radical reshaping of public services" since the creation of the Scottish Parliament. Mr Swinney said there would be a "decisive shift to prevention and early intervention", along with a major overhaul of the structure of the health service in Scotland, and a "rebalancing of power" in local government. Mr Swinney also set out proposals to "substantially reduce" the number of public bodies in Scotland, including bringing Transport Scotland within the Scottish Government, consolidating environmental bodies into a single national organisation, and creating a single ferries body for the Clyde and Western Isles to replace CalMac and CMAL.

 

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