A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
12th October 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Sex offence cases face three-year wait for justice
Sexual offence cases in Scotland are taking a median of two years and 11 months to conclude, prompting warnings from Audit Scotland and Rape Crisis Scotland about the impact on survivors. Police recorded 16,430 sexual crimes in 2025-26, a 10% annual increase, while outstanding High Court trials have risen 157% since 2019-20. Rape Crisis Scotland has described the delays as “unacceptable and distressing” and called for clarity over funding and the timetable for a specialist Sexual Offences Court. Legislation establishing the court was passed nearly a year ago, but the Scottish Government has yet to confirm funding, with money potentially included in the 2027/28 budget.

 
POLICING
Chief constable calls for more funding to recruit 350 officers
Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell has called on the Scottish Government for millions of pounds in additional funding to recruit at least 350 officers, citing growing demands from major football matches, demonstrations and rising violence against women and girls. The force wants to strengthen community policing and tackle anti-social behaviour, allowing frontline officers to focus on urgent incidents. Assistant Chief Constable Phil Davison said resources had become “reactive rather than proactive”. Police Scotland currently has about 16,400 officers, down from more than 17,200 a decade ago. Justice Secretary Neil Gray said record funding of more than £1.7bn would maintain numbers at 16,500.

 
GOVERNMENT
Salmond accuser received £100k public funds
A company linked to one of Alex Salmond’s sexual abuse accusers received almost £100,000 from Scottish Government agencies in the 18 months after his trial, according to messages and financial records. The woman was a company director and had alleged that Salmond assaulted her at Bute House in 2014. He was cleared of all 13 sexual misconduct charges in 2020. Scottish Conservatives have called for answers over the public funding, while Salmond allies have renewed calls for a public inquiry into alleged attempts to undermine him.
INDUSTRY
Law firms warned AI cannot replace professional judgement
Barry Berlow-Jackson, founder of Berlow-Jackson Law, says AI can help smaller law firms improve efficiency in research, drafting and document review, but solicitors must verify its outputs and retain professional responsibility. He warns that AI can confidently generate false legal cases or misrepresent authorities, potentially harming clients and misleading courts. Confidentiality and cybersecurity are also key concerns, requiring firms to understand how platforms handle client data. Berlow-Jackson says clients' AI-generated instructions can also contain inaccuracies, increasing workloads. He stresses that AI is a valuable tool, but professional judgement and accountability cannot be delegated.
CASES
Swinney: SNP may sue Murrell for stolen cash
The SNP is considering legal action against former chief executive Peter Murrell, who is currently imprisoned for embezzling over £400,000 from the party. First Minister John Swinney confirmed the party's intent to recover the funds, stating: "There are two options here. One is a confiscation process that's taken forward by the Crown. I would expect that to be the route that is successful, but there are of course civil remedies available to the party."
EMPLOYMENT
PM vows to tackle non-compete clauses
Andy Burnham has announced plans to limit non-compete clauses in employment contracts, arguing that they hinder innovation and job mobility. Speaking at a business summit in Manchester, the Prime Minister said such clauses often leave workers unpaid after leaving jobs and restrict firms from hiring talent. The Government is considering various restrictions, including a total ban or limits based on salary. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation has warned against "sweeping" changes to non-compete rules, saying that they play a "vital role" in protecting commercially sensitive information and client relationships.
Foyer urges Swinney to clarify public sector reforms
STUC general secretary Roz Foyer has urged First Minister John Swinney to clarify his plans for public sector reform, warning that workers face uncertainty over potential job losses and the future of councils and NHS boards. The Scottish Government is seeking to address a projected £5bn funding shortfall by 2030, with Swinney proposing fewer local authorities and health boards. Foyer said public sector workers should not pay for a deficit they did not create, through cuts or compulsory redundancies.
INTERNATIONAL
US imposes sanctions on ICC
The Trump administration has enacted significant sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC), aiming to limit its resources and operations. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the sanctions, which prohibit US entities from transacting with the ICC, are meant to "defend US sovereignty." The ICC condemned the measures as an attack on the rule of law, while the foreign ministers of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the UK said: "We reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the ICC. As committed supporters of the ICC we regret and strongly disagree with the announcement of sanctions to be imposed upon the court by the United States." 
OTHER
Law awards nominees announced
The Herald Law Awards for Scotland 2026 finalists have been announced, showcasing national firms and local teams. The ceremony will take place on 12 November at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow, hosted by Rob Rinder. Judges reviewed numerous submissions across 16 categories, highlighting innovation in the sector. Finalists include Hey Legal, Lanarkshire Law Practice, and rradar.
ICJ judge wins Nobel peace prize
Navi Pillay, a judge at the International Court of Justice and a former UN human rights chief, has been awarded the Nobel peace prize for her contributions to international law. The Nobel committee praised her commitment to legal principles and her role in highlighting human rights abuses in Gaza.

 

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