A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
18th June 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Local councils plagued by sexism issues
Nine in ten women councillors surveyed in Scotland said they have experienced sexism, misogyny or gender-based violence during their political careers, according to research by Engender. The report found abuse ranged from online harassment and psychological abuse to sexual harassment and physical intimidation, with many incidents going unreported because councillors lacked confidence complaints would be taken seriously. Nearly one in five respondents said they had decided not to seek re-election, while 30% would not recommend becoming a councillor to other women. Engender has called for an independent review of councillor safety and improvements to reporting and support mechanisms ahead of the 2027 local elections.

 
INDUSTRY
Calls grow for reform of Lord Advocate role
Pressure is growing to reform the dual role of Scotland’s Lord Advocate following controversy surrounding the Peter Murrell case. Conservative MP John Cooper said the issue had highlighted concerns about the Lord Advocate acting both as the Scottish Government’s chief legal adviser and head of prosecutions. Cooper plans to press for legislative change, while First Minister John Swinney said he was open to considering reform. During Holyrood's approval of Ruth Charteris as the new Lord Advocate, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Reform representatives also backed calls to review the structure, arguing it is important to maintain public confidence in the independence of Scotland’s justice system.
Nurses tackle mental health in court
Karyn McCluskey, chief executive of Community Justice Scotland, highlights the vital role of psychiatric nurses in Edinburgh Sheriff Court's custody suites. These nurses assess and support individuals with mental health issues, often in chaotic environments. They face daily challenges, including urgent triaging and complex assessments, while working to prevent unnecessary imprisonment. Currently, Edinburgh's custody suite is the only full-time service of its kind in Scotland, addressing a critical need for mental health care within the justice system. McCluskey praises the dedication of these professionals in a demanding setting.

 
THE LAW
PM snubs assisted dying campaigners
Sir Keir Starmer has rejected calls from assisted dying campaigners to support a renewed attempt to legalise it. The Prime Minister confirmed his neutrality at the G7 summit in France, stating: "The Government will not take a position" on the new bill.
WORKFORCE
Culture wars create new workplace challenges, says lawyer
Anderson Strathern partner Musab Hemsi argues that increasingly polarised debates around issues such as immigration, gender identity and international conflicts are creating new risks for employers. He says businesses must balance employees' rights to freedom of expression with legal duties to prevent discrimination and harassment. Hemsi warns that workplace disagreements can escalate into formal complaints, reputational damage and legal disputes if poorly managed. He argues employers should update policies, train managers and encourage respectful dialogue to help navigate sensitive issues while maintaining inclusive workplace cultures.
Council reminds staff of World Cup workplace guidance
Midlothian Council has reminded staff not to display Scotland flags, wear national team shirts or bring football-related items into workplaces during the World Cup, citing the need to maintain an inclusive and professional environment. The guidance prompted criticism from Labour councillors and some employees, who argued it restricted expressions of support for the national team. The council said the measure is not a ban and stressed that schools, leisure centres and other services are continuing to run World Cup-themed activities and events.
PLANNING
Edinburgh councillors seek data centre pause
Edinburgh councillors have called on the Scottish Government to introduce a nationwide moratorium on new data centre developments until an official definition of a "green data centre" is established. Councillors agreed to write to ministers seeking a timetable for the definition’s publication, arguing the issue requires greater clarity before further projects proceed. A Liberal Democrat and Green amendment backing a national pause was approved, while officers advised that a local moratorium would not be legally possible under current planning rules. Campaigners welcomed the move, citing concerns about the environmental and community impacts of large-scale data centre developments
TECHNOLOGY
CMA demands Google improve search ranking
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has imposed new legal requirements on Google to enhance transparency in its search ranking practices. Following concerns from businesses about unfair and opaque ranking methods, Google must now use objective criteria for organic search results. Additionally, a previously voluntary data sharing tool will become mandatory. Google maintains that its ranking systems are fair and will collaborate with the CMA to uphold search quality.
IMMIGRATION
Union chief demands end to Labour's migrant crackdown
Union leaders are urging Labour to abandon Shabana Mahmood's migrant crackdown. The Home Secretary's plan includes extending the wait for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years and imposing strict conditions on applicants. But Andrea Egan, the general secretary of Unison, described the move as a "direct attack" on union members and the further exploitation of migrants. The warning comes amid claims that as many as 45,000 nurses could leave the UK as a result.
HOLYROOD
Trust in Scottish institutions falls, survey finds
Fewer than half of Scots trust the Scottish Government to act in the country’s best interests most or all of the time, according to the latest Scottish Social Attitudes Survey. Trust in ministers fell to 46% in 2025, described as a historic low, although it remained higher than trust in the UK Government, which stood at 18%. The survey also found declining confidence in decision-making, with trust in the Scottish Government to make fair decisions falling from 37% in 2019 to 23% in 2025, while trust in councils dropped from 28% to 13%.

 

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