A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
25th March 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Glasgow police gear up with cameras
Police Scotland is deploying 2,000 body-worn video (BWV) cameras to officers and staff in Greater Glasgow. The rollout, part of a national initiative, aims to enhance safety during the Commonwealth Games. Chief Constable Jo Farrell emphasised the importance of this technology, stating it will help keep visitors safe. Deputy Chief Constable Bex Smith noted that BWV cameras can de-escalate incidents and improve public trust. The cameras, supplied by Motorola Solutions, are designed to capture live video and audio during incidents, marking a significant milestone for the force.

Digital Transformation in Conveyancing: A Roadmap for Scottish Property Law Firms

Conveyancing in Scotland is reaching a tipping point. While firms have access to more technology than ever before, many are still held back by manual processes, fragmented systems, and growing administrative pressure. The gap is no longer about awareness, it’s about execution. Leading firms are already taking a more strategic, phased approach to digital transformation, using technology to remove friction, improve compliance, and unlock capacity across their teams.

Those who act now are setting the pace for the future of property law.

Read more to see what the most forward-thinking firms are doing differently, and how your firm can keep up.

 
THE LAW
Complaint raised over Holyrood committee process
Campaign group Nordic Model Now! has lodged a formal complaint against a Holyrood criminal justice committee, alleging bias and incomplete evidence in its report on proposed prostitution law reforms. The group claims key testimony from a survivor was omitted, potentially affecting scrutiny of the bill, which was later rejected. It has called for an apology and an independent investigation, while concerns have also been raised by MSP Ash Regan over the committee’s neutrality and handling of evidence.


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.

 
COURTS
Illicit items seized at Ayrshire courts
Over the past three years, Ayr and Kilmarnock Sheriff Courts have confiscated nearly 400 illicit items, including 59 knives and 136 alcohol seizures. Security was present at Ayr Sheriff Court for only 15 of the 36 months, while Kilmarnock lacked cover for six months. In 2025 alone, 195 items were seized, highlighting ongoing security challenges in these courthouses. The Scottish Government emphasised the importance of safety and effective security measures in court buildings.
TECHNOLOGY
AI-generated child abuse content surges
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) reported a 14% increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) last year, identifying 8,029 pieces of content. Of these, 65% of the 3,443 videos were classified as category A, the most severe under UK law. Kerry Smith, IWF's chief executive, said: "Advances in technology should never come at the expense of a child's safety." The rise in AI-generated content has raised concerns among child protection agencies, with 80% of UK adults supporting legislation to ensure AI systems prioritise safety.
TAX
MSPs approve fixed-rate visitor levies
MSPs have passed the Visitor Levy (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill, altering legislation to allow local authorities to set flat rate levies on visitor accommodation, rather than levies based on a percentage of the cost of accommodation. Councils in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Stirling and West Dunbartonshire have backed percentage-based levies, with the first set to come into force in July. Councils introducing a levy under the new rules will be required to complete an 18-month lead-in period, as with the old rules, but once a levy is up and running, implementing a switch to a fixed rate scheme will require a shorter changeover period of six months. Accommodation providers will also be allowed to keep a portion of any levies collected to help "mitigate possible administration cost".
Most Scots back higher taxes on the wealthy
Polling commissioned by the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Scotland has found that 85% of people would support higher taxes on the wealthy - including more than 80% of those who consider themselves more wealthy than the average, and more than 75% of those who reported "high" wealth". The poll found that 83% of people belief the gap between the poorest and richest is too large in Scotland, with 90% believing that current wealth inequality is harmful to society. Once don't knows and those with no opinion were excluded, the poll also found majority support for one-off or annual wealth taxes, a private jet tax, and a rebalancing of council tax or property taxes so the wealthiest pay more.
REGULATION
Banks and claims specialists set to challenge £11bn car finance redress
UK banks and claims management groups plan legal challenges against an £11bn FCA redress scheme for car finance mis-selling, potentially delaying compensation payments for over a year.
CASES
Former SNP politician gives evidence in trial
Former SNP politician Jordan Linden has told a court he felt "gutted" and "betrayed" after allegations about his behaviour emerged, as he gave evidence at Falkirk Sheriff Court. Linden, 30, faces 15 charges including sexual assault, indecent communication and causing fear and alarm involving multiple complainants, all of which he denies. The court heard his responses to specific allegations, with some charges previously dropped. The trial is ongoing.

 
STV
Court hears defence in community council case
The Court of Session has heard defence submissions in a judicial review brought by Carbisdale Castle owner Samantha Kane over the dissolution of Ardgay and District Community Council. The defence argued the council was dissolved due to dysfunction and that proper procedures were followed. Kane contends the move was unlawful and intended to remove her from office. A ruling is expected shortly.
BREXIT
Labour to transfer EU powers back onto the UK statute book
Sir Keir Starmer is to introduce new legislation in the King's Speech in May that will pave the way for the introduction of European regulation covering the agriculture and food sectors. Officials have identified 76 laws that could be transferred over to UK law with regard to the production of food, the Telegraph reports, with mandarins also reviewing other sectors, such as automotive and chemicals. Responding to the move, Lord Frost, the UK's former Brexit negotiator, said: "The new bill will sideline democratic UK lawmakers by making a whole range of EU laws applicable in Britain without us getting any say in them. That’s not alignment, it’s subordination."
ENVIRONMENT
Ofcom to review complaints of climate change denial
Ofcom will investigate climate change denial complaints for the first time since 2017. The decision follows criticism from campaigners who accused the UK's broadcasting regulator of allowing various channels to spread misinformation. Ofcom has dismissed over 1,000 climate-related complaints since 2020, but said it will now review those.

 

Legal Slice delivers the latest, most relevant, and useful legal intelligence each weekday morning with intelligence, designed specifically for legal professionals, including attorneys, practice owners, judges, legal scholars, and influencers.

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in Legal Slice, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on Twitter.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Legal Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe