Legal Matters Scotland
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17th December 2025

A free early morning round up of news for legal professionals across Scotland.
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HOLYROOD
Justice Secretary survives no confidence vote
First Minister John Swinney has reaffirmed his full confidence in Justice Secretary Angela Constance after she survived a Holyrood vote of no confidence over claims she misled MSPs about the views of grooming gangs expert Professor Alexis Jay. The Conservative motion was defeated 67–57, with the Greens voting against. Mr Swinney said Ms Constance had acted sincerely and was making a general comment when she referred to Prof Jay’s position. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said victims had lost confidence in the Justice Secretary and has asked ministerial code advisers to investigate. Conservatives accused the SNP and Greens of prioritising party loyalty over accountability. Further scrutiny is expected when Ms Constance and Prof Jay appear before an education committee.

 
THE LAW
New law tackles dog theft head-on
MSPs in Scotland have passed the Dog Theft (Scotland) Bill, making dog theft a specific criminal offence with a maximum penalty of five years. Proposed by Conservative MSP Maurice Golden, the law aims to address the emotional impact of dog theft. Stealing assistance dogs will be treated as an aggravating offence, leading to harsher sentences. Golden stated: "Dogs are our best friends and deserve more - I hope this new law can help deliver that." The bill received overwhelming support, passing by 119 votes to two, with no abstentions.
New measures to track sex offenders online
Convicted sex offenders must now inform police about any dating app or social media accounts they use, or risk up to five years in prison. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced these measures to combat online abuse, highlighting that nearly 20% of sexual offences by strangers occur online. The new regulations will require offenders to provide personal information and preserve their internet history. Mahmood stated: "The Government will use the full power of the state to bear down on abusers." Additionally, £50m will be allocated for child sexual abuse survivors to receive specialist care.
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EMPLOYMENT
Labour's workers' rights bill clears final hurdle
Labour's Employment Rights Bill has successfully passed its final parliamentary stage and is expected to become law before Christmas. Business Secretary Peter Kyle expressed delight, stating the legislation will modernise outdated employment laws and enhance workplace dignity. However, it is expected to cost employers £5bn every year with the Conservatives warning it would lead to rising unemployment. Key provisions include access to sick pay and paternity leave from day one, along with protections for pregnant women. Unite union's general secretary Sharon Graham urged swift implementation, while the Conservatives raised concerns about potential impacts on small businesses.
POLICING
Police Scotland faces mental health crisis
Police Scotland reports attending 14,500 mental health incidents monthly, despite a 6% decrease over two years. Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said that while progress has been made, the demand remains excessive. The Scottish Police Federation's chairman, David Threadgold, highlighted the broken connection between police and healthcare, stating that officers often fill gaps in mental health services. New initiatives, such as a mental health pathway, have reduced unnecessary police involvement in 9,000 cases. Scottish Action for Mental Health has opened a drop-in centre to support individuals in crisis. Justice Secretary Angela Constance acknowledged the need for further improvements.
IMPORTANT CHANGES
A Note to our Readers

We’re excited to share an important update with our readers. Legal Matters Scotland will soon be changing its name to Legal Slice, becoming the Scottish edition of the Legal Slice brand, alongside our established US and UK editions.  

This change reflects our continued growth and allows us to align more closely with an international legal news service, while our content will remain firmly rooted in Scotland. Importantly, there is nothing you need to do. Our focus, editorial standards, and commitment to high-quality legal news summaries and content remain exactly the same.  

You can continue to expect the same trusted daily coverage of Scottish legal news, insights, and developments that keep you informed and up to date. Only the name is changing, the content, independence, and dedication to Scotland’s legal community are not.  

Thank you for your continued support as we enter this next chapter and we wish you a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 
TECHNOLOGY
US pauses UK tech deal amid tax tensions
The US has paused the US-UK tech pact, after the Chancellor reaffirming the digital services tax in her Budget. The £31bn agreement, aimed at boosting the UK's AI sector, faced suspension due to US frustrations over Britain's non-tariff trade barriers and a potential clampdown on AI chatbots. Under the Tech Prosperity Deal, Britain and the US agreed to work together on quantum computers and artificial intelligence, while the likes of Microsoft, Google, Nvidia and OpenAI pledged to invest tens of billions of dollars in Britain. Despite the setback, UK officials remain committed to reviving the deal.
HOUSING
Social housing starts in Scotland slump
New Scottish Government figures show housebuilding has slowed sharply despite the ongoing housing emergency. Overall new housing starts fell 5% in the past year and completions dropped 8%. The steepest decline was in social housing, where starts fell to 3,031 homes in the year to September – the lowest level in almost 30 years. Ministers have pledged to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, 70% for social rent, but only 31,064 have been completed so far, with approvals down 55% from a 2019 peak. While quarterly approvals and starts have recently risen, charities warn progress remains far too slow.

 
STV
PLANNING
Ministers called to act on wind farm crisis
Scottish ministers face pressure to intervene in the Ditcher Law wind farm application, which has sparked community concerns. The proposal includes eight turbines, with five reaching 200 metres, and a battery storage system. Local residents and Scottish Borders Council (SBC) have raised objections due to visual impact. SBC's objection may be treated as late, potentially blocking a public inquiry. Rory Steel, chairman of the Lauderdale Preservation Group, stated: "Ministers must ensure an inquiry takes place so decisions are made on facts, not procedural loopholes." The Scottish Government has declined to comment on the ongoing application.
WORKFORCE
Highland Council staff face overtime crunch
Highland Council is grappling with staff shortages, leading to increased overtime for existing employees. A recent report highlighted 11 vacancies in the electoral and council department, with seven positions in Inverness still unfilled. The department, which serves over 260,000 residents, has about 60 staff members. Inverness West Liberal Democrat councillor Alex Graham noted that tight deadlines and competition from the private sector contribute to the issue. He said: "A review of posts is being carried out and hopefully further recruitment can be done in the new year." The IT system manager is also set to retire soon.
INTERNATIONAL
Trump sues BBC for $10bn damages
Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against the BBC, seeking $10bn (£7.5bn) in damages for alleged defamation related to a Panorama documentary. His lawyers claim the edited speech misrepresented him, stating: "The BBC intentionally and maliciously sought to fully mislead its viewers." The lawsuit includes two counts: defamation and violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. BBC representatives have stated they will defend the case, asserting there was no malice in the edit.
AND FINALLY...
Cameras in court gain popularity
The BBC's Murder Trial series has become a major success, attracting over 3m views per episode. The show, which covers the case of Caroline Glachan, a 14-year-old murdered in 1996, has sparked discussions about increasing media access to Scottish courts. Lord Pentland, Scotland's top judge, praised the series for highlighting public curiosity about court proceedings. He suggested allowing more filming during sentencing hearings and other civil court sessions. "We need to think creatively about enhancing public access," he stated, noting the series' educational value in schools and universities.
 


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