A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

Police Scotland chief constable Jo Farrell has warned that violence against women and girls constitutes a national emergency, with more than 200 crimes reported daily. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Farrell expressed concern about rising offending and the influence of online communities promoting misogynistic attitudes. She warned that funding cuts could undermine preventative policing, including officers working in schools, as demand for services increases. Police Scotland is seeking almost £1.69bn in revenue funding for 2027-28, alongside additional capital investment. Farrell also highlighted growing threats from online extremism, civil unrest and foreign interference.

 

The Sunday Times (Scotland)

 

Fewer than 5% of foreign offenders from certain countries are deported, with 20,000 living in the UK despite deportation orders. Data from June 2025 shows that deportation rates have increased under the Labour government, yet foreign offenders represent less than 30% of removals. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "Only a tiny fraction of criminals from countries like Jamaica, Nigeria, Somalia... get returned." The Home Office claims deportations are at their highest in nearly a decade, with nearly 12,000 foreign criminals returned since the last election.

 

The Times

Hospital treatment following dog attacks has reached record levels in Scotland despite restrictions on XL bullies introduced in August 2024. Public Health Scotland figures show 3,276 victims over three years, a 65% increase on the equivalent period a decade earlier. Hospitals treated 1,092 victims in 2025-26 alone. Experts have raised concerns about behavioural problems among dogs acquired during pandemic lockdowns. Campaigners are calling for stronger owner regulation, while a Scottish Government advisory group is considering further measures to improve public safety.

 

The Sunday Times (Scotland)

 

Police Scotland chief constable Jo Farrell says the conviction of former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell demonstrates the force's political independence. Murrell was jailed for five years and three months after embezzling more than £400,000 from the party. Farrell defended Scotland's policing governance arrangements, arguing they protect operational decisions from political interference. She also warned that insufficient funding could force reductions in officer numbers and preventative policing, amid growing concerns about violence against women and girls and increasing demand for services.

 

The Sunday Times (Scotland)

Following the death of Calum Inglis, a prisoner who contracted Covid-19, Sodexo and NHS Lothian have admitted criminal charges. This case marks a potential legal precedent in the UK, stemming from an investigation into 6,000 pandemic-related deaths. Inglis, who was asthmatic and unvaccinated, died in his cell after requesting medical help multiple times. 

 

BBC News

Parents of children neglected by jailed Fife childminder Amanda Mathewson are preparing legal action against Scotland's Care Inspectorate. Mathewson received a two-year sentence after admitting neglect involving 27 children over 50 months. Families allege regulatory failures, including suspected leaks warning Mathewson about inspections. Solicitor Kim Leslie of Irwin Mitchell Scotland is representing some parents, who want accountability and institutional changes to prevent similar incidents. The regulator faces scrutiny over its oversight.

 

The Courier

Scottish law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn has established a family law practice, appointing Alison Edmondson and Robert Gilmour as partners alongside five lawyers joining from specialist firm SKO. Based in Edinburgh, the team will advise on divorce, financial settlements, child disputes, mediation, surrogacy and assisted reproduction. The practice will collaborate with existing tax, property, corporate and private client teams, providing integrated legal services across Scotland and on international matters.

 

Press Release

The Scotland Dealmakers Awards will feature a competitive Corporate Law Firm of the Year category. Major firms like Burness Paull, CMS, and Addleshaw Goddard dominate the market. Burness Paull recently reported a turnover exceeding £100m, reflecting strong growth. Chairman Peter Lawson expressed "cautious optimism" regarding the M&A market amid economic volatility. Glasgow's Macdonald Henderson also stands out, ranking highly against larger competitors. The judging panel, led by Brian Aitken, evaluated entries over two days. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 11 November at DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.

 

The Scotsman

Burges Salmon has established a new family law team in Edinburgh, led by Rachael Kelsey, a highly regarded family lawyer. The team aims to enhance the firm's capabilities in complex family matters under Scots law. Joining Kelsey are senior associate Nina Derrin, trainee solicitor Iona Barrie, and solicitor Annabel Blackwood. Lorraine Murphy will support the team. Kelsey, recognised as a "star individual" in the Chambers guide, has won the Private Client Lawyer of the Year award. The firm plans further expansion with John West joining as a director in January.

 

The Scotsman

Blackadders LLP has promoted Robyn Lee from director to partner in its private client team. Lee joined the Scottish law firm as a trainee in 2017 and specialises in wills, trusts, inheritance tax planning and complex succession matters. Her experience includes advising high-net-worth clients and handling guardianship cases. Joint managing partner Emma Gray said the promotion reflected the firm's commitment to developing talent internally.

 

Scottish Legal News

Almost 600 deaths may be associated with prolonged waits in Scottish accident and emergency departments during the first eight months of 2026, according to analysis by the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Applying a standard mortality calculation, the party estimated 597 deaths linked to waits exceeding 12 hours, compared with 11 in 2016. The Royal College of Emergency Medicine warned that overcrowding and delayed hospital discharges were contributing to the crisis, largely because of insufficient social care provision. The Liberal Democrats called for improvements to care worker recruitment and conditions. The Scottish Government questioned the unofficial calculations but acknowledged unacceptable waiting times, highlighting plans to expand Hospital at Home services and accelerate patient discharges.

 

Herald Scotland

The Scotsman

The growing use of tools such as ChatGPT is creating a surge in AI-generated complaints, legal challenges and information requests, with the so-called "AI clog" placing additional pressure on businesses, councils, courts and public bodies. The Information Commissioner’s Office says many public authorities saw an increase in requests in 2025. Experts say that although AI makes it easier for individuals to produce professional-sounding correspondence, submissions can contain inaccurate legal references, irrelevant demands and fabricated case law, leaving organisations facing significant additional workloads. Deborah Evans, the chief executive of Lawyers in Local Government, notes that "every sector is experiencing very similar issues," while Jim Moore, an employee relations expert at Hamilton Nash, says many AI-generated complaints are "worded to sound intimidating but forget to set out what solution the complainant wants."

 

The Guardian

Police Scotland has reported progress in two significant cybercrime investigations involving suspects in Moray, with one individual referred to a scheme supporting young people at risk of cyber offending. Its specialist Cyber and Fraud Unit also identified security vulnerabilities at a Moray-based company. The findings, covering activity during 2026, will be discussed by Moray Council's police, fire and rescue committee on November 12.

 

Northern Scot

Highland Council lost £3,321 after a fraudster impersonated an employee and persuaded payroll staff to change their bank details. The September 2025 scam also resulted in a data breach when two payslips were disclosed without verification. The fraud emerged when the genuine employee reported missing wages. An investigation identified weak identity checks, inadequate oversight and manual processing failures. The council has since strengthened safeguards and staff fraud awareness.

 

STV

Real estate AI platform Orbital has launched 22 workflows supporting Scottish commercial property transactions following a pilot with law firm Pinsent Masons. The technology enables lawyers and property professionals to analyse titles, leases, searches and other documents governed by Scots Law. Orbital plans further capabilities covering sector-specific lease reporting, property due diligence and document drafting to support Scottish transactions.

 

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