A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
6th March 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Fettes College could be prosecuted for negligence
Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain is considering a potential corporate prosecution of Fettes College following findings from the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry. The inquiry concluded the school repeatedly failed to act on complaints of sexual, physical and emotional abuse spanning the 1950s to the 1980s. Survivors have met prosecutors to discuss possible negligence charges against the institution as a whole. If pursued, it could become a test case for holding schools corporately accountable for historic abuse. A source close to the discussions said: "Consideration is being given to a prosecution of the school as a whole, as a corporate entity, on grounds of negligence."

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INDUSTRY
Firms shift to remote work amid conflict
Professional services firms in the Middle East have activated emergency plans, moving hundreds of staff to remote work due to escalating conflict and increased uncertainty. Following missile strikes on a number of cities, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has advised British nationals to stay indoors. Robin Hickman, head of region at Addleshaw Goddard, said: "The safety and wellbeing of our people and their families is our top priority." Clyde & Co said teams are "operating in line with official guidance," including working remotely. A Baker McKenzie spokesperson said the firm has taken "precautionary measures ... including asking our colleagues in the region to work remotely until further notice," while Freshfields said: "All colleagues are safe, and client work continues as normal within the region and globally."
Firms struggle with gender parity
Leading law firms in the UK aim to increase female representation in leadership roles to 40% by 2030. However, only 32% of full-equity partners are women, despite women making up 53% of the workforce. Experts say maternity leave and the challenges of returning to work hinder women's career progression. Christine Braamskamp, managing partner at Jenner & Block, highlights the need for better support for women returning from maternity leave, saying the legal sector has "actually done extremely little" to facilitate this transition. Helena Brown, a partner at Addleshaw Goddard, notes that part-time work can lead to perceptions of reduced commitment. 


 
COURTS
Glasgow Sheriff Court seizes hundreds of blades
Security staff at Glasgow Sheriff Court confiscated 103 knives and 506 other bladed or pointed items from visitors in 2025, according to figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request. The courthouse, one of the busiest in Europe, sees up to 2,000 people pass through daily. Thousands of other prohibited items were also seized, including aerosols, glass, tools, alcohol and drugs. Community campaigners said the figures were concerning and highlighted ongoing issues around knife carrying and public safety. A Scottish Courts and Tribunal System spokesperson said: "The SCTS takes the safety of all court users very seriously. These are public buildings, and we work closely with partners, including the police, to take all reasonable precautions against prohibited items being introduced into court buildings."
CASES
Shoplifter jailed after security guard's death
A shoplifter has been jailed after a struggle at an Asda in Arbroath led to the death of security guard Alun Harris-Richards, 61. Natasha Smith, 38, a repeat offender, had attempted to flee with stolen alcohol and assaulted Harris-Richards, who suffered a fatal heart attack during the confrontation. Smith, who pleaded guilty to culpable homicide and assault, was jailed for five years and four months.
Council bid to relocate showpeople fails
The Court of Session has rejected Glasgow City Council's bid to relocate a group of showpeople living at showman's yards on a site targeted for regeneration. The council had proposed relocating residents from Govan to an alternative site in Parkhead, but Judge Lady Drummond found that the Stringfellow family "continue to have a right to occupy the site", and that the council had made "no attempt" to terminate their residency "in accordance with the statutory provisions" under the Mobile Homes Act 1983.
THE LAW
Minister visits SLCC as legal reforms begin
Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown, has visited the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission to discuss progress implementing reforms under the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025. The new law introduces major changes to legal services regulation and expands the powers of the independent Consumer Panel. Officials outlined work to improve the complaints system and strengthen consumer input. Further measures from the Act are expected to be implemented in stages, with reforms to the complaints process targeted for 2027.
POLICING
Police withhold migrant hotel crime stats
Police Scotland has expressed concerns that releasing crime statistics from asylum seeker hotels could "increase community tension" and put officers, residents, and the public at risk. The force cited risks to ongoing investigations, personal data, and health and safety as reasons for withholding the information, despite having disclosed similar data in the past. The warning follows a backdrop of rising asylum seeker numbers in Scottish hotels and past violent incidents, such as the 2020 Park Inn attack in Glasgow.
CORPORATE
Game developer lays off staff amid espionage claims
Build A Rocket Boy, founded by former Rockstar North president Leslie Benzies, is laying off staff after its first game, MindsEye, flopped. Benzies has blamed "corporate sabotage" for the game’s failure, while unions have criticized management for mistreatment of staff during development and bug-fixing. The studio is reportedly working with external partners and legal advisers to investigate the events surrounding the launch.
INTERNATIONAL
States challenge Trump’s tariffs
Two dozen US states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to block new tariffs imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. The lawsuit, led by New York, California, Oregon, and Arizona, claims the tariffs are unconstitutional, as only Congress has the authority to impose such taxes. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said: "It is the same illegal power-grab under a different statute." The states seek to prevent the tariffs from taking effect and demand refunds for the levies already imposed.
OTHER
Stuart Hogg stripped of MBE
Former Scotland rugby union captain Stuart Hogg has been stripped of his MBE after pleading guilty to a domestic abuse charge against his estranged wife in 2024. Hogg, who had received the honour in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to rugby, was given a one-year community payback order. A notice in The Gazette confirmed the award has been "cancelled and annulled."

 

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