Legal Matters Scotland

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THE LAW
Scotland makes move against ecocide
The Scottish Parliament is set to consider a groundbreaking ecocide bill aimed at criminalising severe environmental destruction. Proposed by Monica Lennon, a Scottish Labour MSP, the bill seeks to impose strict legal duties on company directors and government agencies, with potential penalties including heavy fines and prison sentences. Lennon stated: "I think the bill will give people hope," pointing to the need for robust legal frameworks to protect the environment. The legislation aligns Scotland with the EU's environmental crime directive and follows similar initiatives in countries like Brazil and Italy. Supported by over 50 MSPs from various parties, including the Conservatives, the bill is expected to enhance accountability among companies and public agencies regarding environmental issues. 
MSPs seek views on school restraint Bill
Holyrood's Education, Children and Young People Committee has launched a call for views on Scottish Labour MSP Daniel Johnson's Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill. The proposed Bill would require schools to inform parents when children are restrained or put into seclusion, and to report annually on their use of such practices. Committee convener Douglas Ross said the "use of restraint and seclusion has been controversial for many years", while the Bill "aims to minimise the use of restraint and seclusion and we want to understand the implications of adopting this approach on children and young people, parents and professionals".

 
STV


Denovo's Latest Executry Software Enhancements Are Empowering Scottish Law Firms 

Denovo’s Executry software is revolutionising estate management for Scottish law firms. Steven Hill, Denovo’s MD, is the forefront of this initiative, meeting with legal professionals across Scotland to share his insights and experiences on the latest updates to Denovo’s software. The enhancements Denovo are making are not just technological - they’re transformative for firms looking to streamline workflows, reduce manual input, and ultimately serve their clients more effectively.

New features like automated HMRC form population, streamlined asset management, and enhancement of data gathering capabilities, are just some of the new features in their CaseLoad platform.

Read the full blog for all the details

 
PRISONS
Prison bosses struggle with drone threat
Prison authorities in Scotland are struggling to combat the increasing use of drones to smuggle contraband into jails due to resource limitations. Stephen Coyle, head of operational delivery at the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), informed the Criminal Justice Committee that while window grilles installed at Perth Prison successfully halted drone breaches for six months, the SPS cannot afford to implement this solution across all facilities. Coyle stated: "That is not the case at the moment," referring to the lack of resources for widespread grille installation. SPS chief executive Teresa Medhurst highlighted the growing threat posed by drones, which can carry drugs, mobile phones, and weapons. Currently, grilles are only in place at three pilot sites, with hopes to expand if funding allows.



 
INDUSTRY
Sheriff dismissed for online attacks
John Halley, a part-time sheriff and member of the Faculty of Advocates, has been removed from his position following a series of derogatory social media posts about Lady Smith, chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. His comments, which included calling her "evil" and "deranged", were deemed inappropriate and inconsistent with the dignity of judicial office. A report stated: "The communications amounted to a public attack on the character and integrity of a fellow judge." Halley had previously alleged disability discrimination against Lady Smith but withdrew his claim. His conduct was investigated after he continued to post inflammatory remarks in 2023, leading to his dismissal for "personal attacks" that worsened over time.
TAX
Tourism firms seek changes to visitor levy
The Scottish Tourism Alliance has coordinated a letter backed by almost 80 tourism and hospitality organisations representing thousands of individual businesses calling on Minister for Public Finance Ivan McKee to make changes to legislation underpinning visitor levies. With City of Edinburgh Council set to introduce a levy next year, and other councils considering their own plans, the letter argues that taking "a different approach to the rest of the UK on this policy is putting the sector at a competitive disadvantage and causing considerable complexity and unnecessary cost to businesses". Among proposals suggested by the letter are a change from a percentage-based levy to a "simple, proportionate fixed fee", and for a "digital-first solution to remove the burden from accommodation providers collecting a levy by introducing a visitor QR code system paid directly to local authorities".
POLICING
Controversial band pulled from TRNSMT lineup
DF Concerts, the promoter of Glasgow's annual TRNSMT festival, has announced that Irish hip hop group Kneecap has been dropped from this year's bill following an intervention from Police Scotland. A spokesperson for Police Scotland had said that there had been "no prior consultation" before the booking of acts for this year's event, and that officers had subsequently "highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event". While Glasgow City Council leader Cllr Susan Aitken had opposed calls for the group from being banned from performing in the city amid controversy over its members' comments on Israel's action in Gaza, and apparent calls for violence against MPs, the council said the decision was a matter for the promoter.
SECURITY
Call for truth on Chinook crash
The legal representative for Flight Lieutenant Richard Cook, one of the pilots wrongfully accused of negligence in the 1994 Mull of Kintyre Chinook crash, has joined bereaved families in demanding the release of sealed documents related to the incident. The crash, which resulted in the deaths of 29 individuals, remains one of the RAF's most tragic peacetime losses. Professor Peter Watson of PBW Law said: "The continued secrecy around these documents is indefensible after 30 years." He emphasised the need for transparency, stating that the decision to seal documents until 2094 is "extraordinary and unjustified." The Chinook Justice Campaign has formally requested a public inquiry, which was denied by the minister for veterans, Alistair Carns.
FIRMS
Balfour+Manson teams up with Aberdeen
Balfour+Manson has established a partnership with Aberdeen FC, becoming the club's official legal partner. The collaboration aims to enhance the firm's visibility in the north-east of Scotland and "foster a stronger connection" with the club's supporters. Partner Julie Clark-Spence expressed excitement about the partnership, stating: "We are absolutely thrilled to become the official legal partner of Aberdeen Football Club." Aberdeen FC's Gary Herbert also highlighted the benefits, calling it "a fantastic opportunity to connect our supporters with a reputable and highly regarded legal firm."
CASES
Diamorphine dealers dodge prison time
Two diamorphine dealers, Courtney Smith and Liam Munro, avoided prison sentences at Inverness Sheriff Court after background reports indicated significant personal changes. Both admitted to being concerned in the supply of heroin, with a total street value of £2,820 found during a police search. Smith received 180 hours of unpaid community work, while Munro was ordered to complete 270 hours, alongside 15 months of social work supervision for both.
Inverness man in court over Dingwall fire
A 23-year-old man, Stephen Dick from Inverness, has appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court regarding a fire incident in Dingwall that occurred on Sunday morning. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded to the blaze at approximately 6.15am, leading to the closure of High Street for about five hours. Dick, represented by solicitor Marc Dickson, did not enter a plea to the charge of culpable and reckless fireraising.
TECHNOLOGY
Report calls for facial recognition regulation
Privacy campaigners are urging the UK Government to impose regulations on facial recognition technology, citing a report that highlights "significant gaps and fragmentation across biometrics governance."
INTERNATIONAL
Court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs
A federal trade court has blocked US President Donald Trump's attempt to impose extensive tariffs on imports, citing that he has overstepped his authority. The ruling from the Court of International Trade followed multiple lawsuits claiming that Trump's actions have led to economic instability and that tariffs typically require Congressional approval. The plaintiffs argue that the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not permit such tariffs, as the ongoing trade deficit does not constitute an "unusual and extraordinary threat." Despite Trump's assertion that the trade deficit represents a national emergency, the court's decision has raised questions about the legality of his trade policies.
Tate brothers face 21 charges in UK
Andrew and Tristan Tate will face 21 charges when they are returned to the UK, including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking, the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed. The charging decision came after the CPS received a file of evidence from Bedfordshire Police about allegations made in the UK. The brothers are under investigation in Romania and the CPS said any criminal matters pertaining to that country must be resolved first. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said: "I welcome the action of the UK authorities to ensure the Tates finally face justice. They cannot be allowed to slip through the net and escape extradition."
ECONOMY
Scotland's GDP growth trails UK
New figures published by the Scottish Government's Chief Economist Directorate have revealed that onshore GDP in Scotland was up 0.4% between the last quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 - although this growth was below the 0.7% figure for the wider UK. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said it was "encouraging to see quarterly growth continuing and getting stronger in Scotland - following a 0.1% rise at the end of 2024". Ms Forbes, however, noted a 0.2% month-on-month decline in GDP in March, and said the Scottish Government's "limited powers mean we also require decisive action from the UK Government to counter the damaging economic impacts of Brexit and tackle the economic uncertainty currently being felt by business, workers and families".
 


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