A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

Analysis shows that prisoner transfer company GEOAmey delivered inmates late to Scottish courts 10,474 times in a 10 month period. The firm, which has a £238m contract, has already been fined about £4m over performance issues. Despite GEOAmey generating £119.5m in revenue in 2024 and paying over £2m to shareholders and executives, the company has struggled to meet contract requirements for prisoner transfers, prompting criticism from MSPs and Audit Scotland. Scottish taxpayers have provided £1.8m in 2024, with a further £2.2m top-up due in 2025 to support the service. GeoAmey said: "The contract in Scotland anticipates that some people will arrive late to court due to a number of factors. The team in Scotland recently recorded their 21st successive month where performance has exceeded the contractual target for court arrivals."

 

Daily Record

 

Sir Keir Starmer is pushing for a mutual recognition agreement with the EU that would allow British lawyers to work more easily across Europe by ensuring UK legal qualifications are recognised in member states and vice versa, removing a major post-Brexit barrier for the profession. As part of a broader strategy to align more closely with the single market without formally rejoining it, the Prime Minister argues that easing restrictions on services such as law would boost growth. Legal bodies are lobbying heavily for a deal, which Labour pledged in its manifesto but has as yet failed to secure. Ministers see improved mobility for lawyers as central to restoring the UK’s competitiveness in legal and professional services.

 

The Daily Telegraph

Inksters are supporting the ABS Scotland Group as founding members and with Brian Inkster being a member of the committee.

The Group was born out of frustration with the Law Society of Scotland’s delays in implementing Alternative Business Structures (or Licensed Legal Service Providers) in Scotland.

By 2025, there had already been a 15-year delay in implementation following on from the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. There was hope that the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 would speed the process up. However, instead, the Law Society of Scotland announced a freeze of at least another two years on doing anything at all on ABS.

The main objective of the Group is to encourage and facilitate the introduction of ABS to Scotland.

You can join the ABS Scotland Group by completing the membership application form.

 

Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has warned that human rights law is hindering prison authorities’ ability to control violent extremists, creating uncertainty over how dangerous inmates can be safely segregated. His comments follow a court ruling that the segregation of double murderer Fuad Awale breached his rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), leading to compensation and legal costs being paid by the Government. Mr Hall argues the ECHR was never intended to apply to day-to-day prison decisions about inmate association and has urged Justice Secretary David Lammy to legislate to prevent judges from applying it in such cases, warning of further legal challenges if no action is taken. The case has fuelled wider criticism that human rights are being prioritised over the safety of prison staff and national security, with the Government now considering legal and policy changes to limit extremists’ ability to use the ECHR to challenge segregation.

 

The Sunday Telegraph

The House of Lords may hinder the progress of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, according to Lord Falconer, one of its architects. He expressed concern over 1,000 proposed amendments and the potential for running out of time. Lord Falconer plans to request additional sessions for scrutiny, saying: "I worry that there are a small number of people in the Lords who are trying to talk it out." Critics, including Baroness Berger, argue that scrutiny is essential for such significant legislation, while Dr Gordon Macdonald emphasised that the Bill's Private Member's status allows for thorough examination.

 

Daily Mail

New figures reveal that children as young as 12 are being investigated by police for sexual offences, with 146 under-18s referred to the Scottish Children's Reporter Administration in the past 18 months alone. Data obtained under freedom of information laws shows 415 minors have been dealt with for sex crimes, including rape, over the past three years, prompting concern from politicians across parties. Critics have warned the figures highlight rising levels of sexual violence and the need for better education, stronger prevention, and more effective use of police resources.

 

The Daily Record

Nearly £80m worth of drugs has been seized in Scotland over the past year as part of a major crackdown on organised crime. Police Scotland carried out a series of raids, including the discovery of the country's largest cannabis cultivation in Kirkcaldy, valued at £12m, alongside significant seizures of £3.2m of cannabis in Cowdenbeath and £8m of cocaine in Bellshill. Detective Chief Superintendent Dave Ferry said officers "work tirelessly every day to disrupt drug supply and protect communities," with ongoing investigations and arrests underlining the force’s continued focus on tackling drug crime nationwide.

 

Northern Scot

Drivers are increasingly using AI to appeal motoring fines, but many are undermining their cases by relying on "hallucinated" evidence, including non-existent case law, according to London’s chief adjudicator Anthony Chan. Data shows that while over 9.4m penalty charge notices were issued in London in 2024/25 - marking a 13.4% increase - appeals rose by nearly 24%. Motorists were successful in 45.4% of cases, often because councils failed to contest them.

 

The Standard

The chief of Avon and Somerset Police, Sarah Crew, advocates for using AI in victim interviews to enhance rape investigations, suggesting that the technology could improve questioning and transcription. She noted that current police recordings often leave barristers dissatisfied. The rape charging rate in England and Wales rose to 9.3% last year, but the conviction rate remains low.

 

The Times

An investigation by the Scotsman, using Freedom of Information data from 27 of Scotland's 32 local authorities, found that councils have paid just over £878,000 in compensation to teachers, support staff, and classroom assistants injured by pupils over the past five years. Midlothian Council reported the highest total, at almost £200,000, followed by Glasgow City Council, which had the most claims at 50 totalling around £90,000, and City of Edinburgh Council at £80,000, including the largest single claim of more than £43,000.

 

The Scotsman

The Sunday Times

Rangers footballer Dujon Sterling has been charged over alleged driving offences after a crash in Glasgow. Stering was arrested after a one-vehicle collision on West Graham Street in the Cowcaddens area of the city in the early hours of Sunday. The defender will appear in court at a later date.

 

BBC News

The Financial Conduct Authority is focusing on fewer, high-impact investigations, resulting in a significant reduction of legacy cases and improved enforcement outcomes. The City watchdog has also tried to speed up its investigations.

 

Financial Times

Police Scotland has reported a rise in neighbour disputes across the country, with smart doorbell cameras increasingly playing a role. While doorbells can provide evidence of antisocial behaviour, they are also fueling complaints and sometimes raising privacy concerns if they capture footage beyond private property.

 

Daily Mail