Legal Matters Scotland

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THE LAW
MSPs endorse landmark tobacco legislation
The Scottish Parliament has approved a legislative consent motion for the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aiming to create a "smoke-free generation" by prohibiting tobacco sales to anyone born after January 1, 2009. Public health minister Jenni Minto hailed the decision as a "landmark" move, stating: "The Scottish Parliament's consent to this landmark legislation will ensure that children born after January 1, 2009 can never be sold tobacco." The legislation also seeks to impose restrictions on the advertising and sale of vapes, with the goal of promoting healthier lives by 2034. Jamie Strachan from VPZ emphasised the importance of not marketing vaping products to children while advocating for a balanced approach to support adult smokers transitioning away from combustible tobacco.


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

 
WORKFORCE
Minimum wage offenders named and shamed
The UK Government has publicly identified eight businesses in north and northeast Scotland for breaching minimum wage laws, following an investigation spanning from 2015 to 2022. Notable offenders include Ballachulish Hotel, which owed £26,814 to 37 employees, and Baxters Food Group, which failed to pay £19,765 to 62 staff members. A spokeswoman for Ballachulish Hotel expressed disappointment with HMRC's "naming and shaming" approach, stating: "The fact that it took over four years to present its findings in our case suggests otherwise." Other companies, including Robertson Facilities Management and John Clark, also faced penalties for underpayment. All firms have since reimbursed their employees, along with additional penalties.
Public sector pay deals will require cuts or tax rises
The Scottish Fiscal Commission has warned that Scottish Government ministers will need to either make cuts to public services or increase taxes following recent public sector pay deals which have exceeded budgeted levels of 3%. The commission has also warned that higher uptake of devolved benefits than their equivalents elsewhere in the UK is set to see Scotland's social security spending gap - the difference between spending and its block grant allocation - is set to more than double from £922m in 2024/25 to around £2bn by the end of the decade. Commenting on the commission's findings, David Phillips from the Institute for Fiscal Studies called for ministers to use June's medium-term financial strategy to show how they will "address the difficult financial outlook and make trade-offs between tax and spending in different areas."



 
FIRMS
WJM announces new hires and promotions
Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie (WJM), has announced two new hires and 14 promotions, signalling its commitment to growth and talent development. Kathleen Waller joins as a senior legal director, bringing extensive experience in non-contentious construction contracts, while Eilidh Campbell, a rural business law specialist, takes on the role of associate in Inverness. Managing partner Fraser Gillies stated: “Kathleen's appointment enhances our ability to service our growing real estate client base,” highlighting the firm's expansion following its merger with Davidson Chalmers Stewart.
Pinsent Masons boosts Aberdeen office
Pinsent Masons has appointed Chris Sawyer and Gillian Harrington as partners in its Aberdeen office.
Digby Brown shines in workplace rankings
Digby Brown has been acknowledged as one of the UK's ‘Best Places to Work' in The Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Work 2025' list, ranking among 115 organisations in the ‘Big' category. The firm's engagement score exceeded the industry average by 15%, with a flight risk of only 2%, significantly lower than the industry average of 41%. Chief executive Fraser Oliver commented: "To be recognised as a ‘Best Place to Work' in the UK is simply a confirmation of what we already knew," emphasising the importance of employee engagement and satisfaction in delivering stellar results for clients.
FRAUD
Tea scammer sentenced over fraud
Conman Thomas Robinson has been found guilty of fraud totalling more than £500,000 after being found guilty of buying tea and tea plants in bulk from overseas, selling them on to tea growers and customers including Edinburgh's Balmoral Hotel as single-estate Scottish tea. Mr Robinson's scam began to unravel thanks to checks carried out by Perth and Kinross Council, prompting further investigations by a Scottish Government advisor and Food Standards Scotland's Food Crime and Incidents Unit. Prosecutors highlighted "elaborate lies" put forward by Robinson during the trial, including that he was a multi-millionaire rugby-playing polymer scientist who had invented the "Bag for Life", served in the British Army in bomb disposal, and worked for former US President Barack Obama.
CASES
Killer jailed for savage murder
Owen Grant has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of Kiesha Donaghy, a 32-year-old mother, in her Elgin home. The judge, Lord Scott, described the attack as "exceptionally savage" and noted that Grant must serve a minimum of 24 years before being eligible for parole. The court heard that Grant, who had a history of violent crime, attacked Donaghy with a claw hammer, leaving her with multiple blunt force injuries. The motive for the murder appears to be linked to financial issues, as Grant owed the victim £300 for cocaine. Following the murder, he was seen spending money and attempting to cover his tracks.
PLANNING
Ministers urged to intervene over Loch Lomond resort
Protesters gathered outside the Scottish Parliament yesterday to urge ministers to intervene over Flamingo Land's plans for a new resort at Loch Lomond, ahead of an emergency meeting in the community today. Local MSP Ross Greer said ministers "got directly involved to help Donald Trump build a golf course in Aberdeenshire, but they're refusing to do so here when it's about protecting Scotland's environment". Balloch and Haldane Community Council is continuing to oppose the development, which was initially rejected by the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authority following objections from SEPA, the National Trust for Scotland, and the Woodland Trust, along with more than 155,000 individual objections.
TRANSPORT
First month of pavement parking ban sees 230 fines issued
Renfrewshire Council has revealed that the first full month of the council's pavement parking ban saw 230 penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued, with a further 71 PCNs issued from May 1-11. Cllr Chris Gilmour noted that the management and enforcement of the ban is "going to be a process", adding: "Hopefully, it will reduce inconsiderate parking but we need a measured approach."

 
STV
INTERNATIONAL
Tate brothers to face charges
Lawyers for Andrew and Tristan Tate say the social media influencers are set to return to Britain to contest serious charges, including rape and human trafficking. The Crown Prosecution Service announced the charges on Wednesday, which involve allegations dating back to 2012. Lawyers from Holborn Adams said: "These are historic allegations and our clients are not even being told who the supposed victims are," highlighting concerns over the lack of information from British prosecutors. The brothers are currently facing legal issues in Romania, where they were arrested in late 2022. 
US trade court blocks Trump's tariffs
The US Court of International Trade has declared that Donald Trump's global trade tariffs are "invalid as contrary to law," ruling that the President lacked the authority to "regulate importation by means of tariffs." The ruling applies to tariffs introduced on April 2, including a global baseline 10% tariff as well as higher reciprocal tariffs imposed on specific trading partners, but excludes tariffs on steel, aluminium, and cars.
AWARDS
Legal stars shine in Milan
The European Legal Innovation & Technology Awards 2025 celebrated transformative contributions to the legal market, with Eversheds Sutherland, Pinsent Masons, PwC Legal, and Ask Q among the top winners. The ceremony, hosted by Law.com International's managing editor Krishnan Nair, took place in Milan after a decade in London. Hundreds gathered at the Hotel Principe di Savoia, coinciding with the Future Lawyer Europe conference organised by Cosmonauts and the International Legal Technology Association.

 
Law
 


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