A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
3rd July 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Former Lord Advocate among five new Scottish judges
Dorothy Bain KC, Scotland's former Lord Advocate and the Scottish Government's most senior legal adviser and chief prosecutor from 2021 to 2026, has been appointed a judge and will take up office as a Senator of the College of Justice in January 2027. The appointment was announced alongside those of Sheriff Principal Aisha Anwar KC, Liam Ewing KC, Indranil (Julian) Ghosh KC and Christine O'Neill KC. Bain's tenure as Lord Advocate included renewed debate over the dual role of the office as both head of Scotland's prosecution service and a member of government. She was succeeded last month by Ruth Charteris KC, the former Solicitor General for Scotland, who became Lord Advocate following the Holyrood election.

 
INDUSTRY
Police Scotland faces legal fee crisis
Police Scotland has incurred over £700,000 in external legal fees defending employment tribunal claims from its officers and staff between 2021 and 2025. The total reached £715,760 for 130 claims, including discrimination and unfair dismissal allegations. Last year alone, the force spent £215,138 on legal fees. David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, stated that many disputes could be resolved through mediation rather than lengthy tribunal processes, which he believes negatively impacts both officers and public finances.

 
CRIME
Glasgow businesses targeted in immigration crackdown
A national crackdown in Glasgow, named Operation Lockstream, targeted businesses suspected of involvement in organised immigration crime. Coordinated by the Organised Immigration Crime Domestic Taskforce (OICDT), the week-long operation aimed to disrupt human trafficking and exploitation. Police Scotland and other agencies visited 40 businesses, speaking with 109 individuals, identifying 10 irregular migrants, and carrying out 43 compliance checks, revealing four unlicensed premises. Detective Superintendent Stevie Bertram emphasised the need to protect vulnerable individuals and bring offenders to justice, highlighting that similar operations also occurred in other parts of Scotland.
THE LAW
New UK laws tackle late payments
The UK has introduced the Commercial Payments Bill, which aims to address late payments affecting small businesses. Research by the Enterprise Research Centre indicates that the new legislation features a 60-day payment cap, mandatory interest on overdue invoices, and enhanced powers for the Small Business Commissioner. The reforms target the £26bn in overdue invoices faced by small businesses. The research highlights the need for stronger enforcement measures.
CASES
Licence decision drives public anger
Highland Council has taken the unusual step of issuing a public statement after councillors voted to allow convicted rapist David Brown to retain his taxi operator's licence. The council's chief legal officer has referred the decision for review by the full council, and all councillors are expected to receive specialist legal guidance beforehand. Officials stressed that Brown's taxi driver's licence had been suspended in 2024 and that the operator's licence relates to the vehicle rather than permission to drive. The council said it commented publicly because of the significant public interest in the case.
Police officer jailed for rape and abuse
Cameron Ross, a 39-year-old former Police Scotland officer, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping two women and abusing a third. His offences occurred between 2012 and 2022 in Inverness and on the Isle of Lewis. Ross has also been placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
Lawyer faces jail for 18-month abuse
Alexander Hutcheon, a 70-year-old solicitor, has pled guilty to a series of abusive behaviours towards a woman over 18 months. The abuse included assault, stalking, and harassment, with incidents occurring between June 2022 and January 2024.
Former court manager avoids prison over online fraud
Lee Moffat, a former GeoAmey custody manager at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, has avoided a prison sentence after admitting operating an online fraud in which he posed as a female escort to obtain money from men between 2016 and 2018.
TAX
East Dunbartonshire rejects visitor levy plans
East Dunbartonshire Council has unanimously decided not to introduce a visitor levy on overnight accommodation. The decision follows new Scottish Government legislation giving councils powers to apply charges to stays in hotels, guest houses and campsites. Gordan Low, leader of East Dunbartonshire Council, proposed that the authority should not proceed with the scheme. Council estimates suggested a 5% levy could have generated around £500,000 annually, although administration and operating costs would have reduced net income to approximately £320,000 per year.
ENERGY
Burnham's approach could prompt rethink on North Sea policy
Chris Sawyer, partner and energy sector specialist at Pinsent Masons, argues in the Scotsman that Andy Burnham's emphasis on regional growth and devolution could lead to a more supportive approach to the North Sea energy sector. Sawyer suggests greater powers for regions such as Aberdeen could encourage investment and provide more certainty for the oil and gas industry during the energy transition. He points to recent reports highlighting the importance of balancing renewable energy growth with maintaining domestic oil and gas production, skills and supply chains to support energy security and economic development in north-east Scotland and across the UK.

 

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