A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
14th May 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Police deploy drones to tackle rail crime in Scotland
Transport police in Scotland are deploying advanced drones in Glasgow and Edinburgh to combat rail crime and disruptions. The DJI Matrice 4TD drones, capable of flying in various weather conditions, will enhance situational awareness for officers by monitoring trespassers and vulnerable individuals around the clock. This £200,000 initiative aims to respond quickly to incidents, ensuring railway safety and efficiency without resulting in job cuts. Chief Inspector Lorna McEwan highlighted the drones' ability to identify individuals in precarious situations, aiding in swift decision-making. Network Rail and ScotRail believe that the technology will improve safety and reduce vandalism and trespassing incidents, enhancing overall response time to emergencies.

DenovoPay: The Best Online Payment Solution for Scottish Law Firms

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In Denovo's latest blog, they introduce DenovoPay – Online Payments and explore why fully integrated payment solutions within practice management systems like CaseLoad are transforming both cash flow and client experience.

Read the blog to discover why modern payment systems are now essential for forward-thinking law firms

 
INDUSTRY
Lawscot Foundation chair McLintock steps down
The Lawscot Foundation has announced a leadership transition as founding chair Christine McLintock steps down after a decade leading the charity, which supports law students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Retired solicitor Kay McCorquodale will become the organisation's new chair, while Debbie McIlwraith Cameron has been appointed to the newly created role of vice-chair as the foundation marks its 10th anniversary. McLintock said the charity remained in "excellent hands" under its new leadership, while both incoming trustees pledged to continue widening access to the legal profession for students facing socioeconomic barriers.

 
CASES
Firm fined after silo disaster
Tetra Technologies UK Limited has been fined £350,000 after admitting health and safety failures linked to a 2023 silo explosion at its Peterhead site in Aberdeenshire. Worker Philip Moir suffered multiple broken bones and chemical burns when around 3,000 barrels of calcium chloride brine burst from the container, leaving him with life-changing injuries and an uncertain future. Following the court ruling, Moir said the outcome gave him “no sense of closure” and described it as “a miracle” that he survived the incident.
Man who shook baby leaving her with brain injury jailed
A man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted of attempting to murder a four-month-old baby by violently shaking her, causing catastrophic brain injuries described as similar to those sustained in a serious car crash. Sentencing Josh Coates at the High Court in Glasgow, Lord Young described the attack as a “significant breach of trust” and criticised the 25-year-old for giving inconsistent accounts of how the injuries were caused.

 
STV
Driver faces charges over schoolgirl's death
David Maxwell, a 35-year-old refuse lorry driver, has been accused of causing the death of 11-year-old Elizabeth Bell by dangerous driving. The incident occurred on January 31, 2024, at a junction on the A6105 Greenlaw to Gordon road. Maxwell appeared in Sheriff Court without entering a plea to the charge. The case has been continued for further examination, and he has been granted bail.
REGULATION
Legislation will drive regulators to deliver growth
The Government has introduced the Regulating for Growth Bill, granting ministers new statutory powers to guide regulators in delivering growth. This legislation aims to address the current regulatory system's "lack of agility and responsiveness to innovation and change," which the Government warns is undermining the UK's competitiveness. The Bill intends to give key regulators a "clear, statutory mandate to prioritise growth without undermining their important core function." The Bill also outlines plans to streamline the complaints system for the Financial Ombudsman and includes the consolidation of the Payment Systems Regulator into the Financial Conduct Authority, which was announced last year. It also seeks to scale back the Senior Managers and Certification Regime by removing direct regulatory vetting for around 50% of mid-to-senior roles.
THE LAW
Small businesses welcome late payment crackdown
Small businesses have welcomed new legislation aimed at curbing late payments. The King's Speech introduced measures that empower the Small Business Commissioner to investigate and fine firms that consistently delay payments. The Late Payments Bill enforces a maximum payment term of 60 days and mandates interest for late payments at 8% above the Bank of England's base rate. Data shows that payments cost the UK economy £11bn annually.
HOLYROOD
Scrutiny fears in race for Holyrood presiding officer
Concerns have been raised over the process to appoint Holyrood's next presiding officer, amid claims SNP ministers were lobbying MSPs to back party colleague Clare Haughey in Thursday's secret ballot. Opposition figures criticised Haughey’s participation in a private SNP-only event while declining to attend a cross-party hustings, arguing it undermined expectations of neutrality for a role central to parliamentary scrutiny and procedure. MSPs will choose the successful candidate through successive rounds of secret voting until a majority is secured.
WESTMINSTER
Farage faces probe over £5m donation
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is under investigation by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner regarding a £5m donation from crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne. Mr Farage received this gift shortly before announcing his candidacy for the 2024 general election. Labour and other parties argue that MPs must declare relevant gifts received within 12 months of entering parliament. If found guilty of a serious breach, Farage could face suspension from the Commons.

 

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