Legal Matters Scotland
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4th April 2025

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HOLYROOD
MSPs to scrutinise cost of public inquiries
Members of Holyrood's finance and public administration committee are to examine the cost-effectiveness of public inquiries in Scotland, amid concerns over their financial implications. The investigation will assess whether these inquiries provide value for money and if spending controls are feasible, given their independent nature. The Institute for Government reported that between 1990 and 2024, at least £1.5bn was spent on completed public inquiries. Recent inquiries, including those into the Covid pandemic and hospital safety, have already cost nearly £200m. The Edinburgh tram inquiry took nine years and cost over £13m, raising questions about the efficiency of such processes. Kenny Gibson, the SNP MSP who chairs the finance committee, pledged to conduct a "short, sharp inquiry" that would examine the size of legal and consultant fees, which on average account for almost half of costs. He said one issue that had been raised was the possibility of a perceived conflict of interests within the legal profession, in which lawyers representing clients demand public inquiries then gain financially if they take place.


Denovo Announced as Headline Sponsor for the 2025 Scottish Legal Awards

Denovo has been announced as the headline sponsor for the 2025 Scottish Legal Awards, Scotland’s premier celebration of excellence in the legal profession. As the largest independent awards programme in the sector, the event recognises the outstanding achievements of legal professionals, firms, and teams across the country. Denovo is thrilled to support an event that champions excellence in the legal profession, reinforcing their commitment to empowering Scottish law firms with the tools they need to thrive. The team at Denovo is looking forward to celebrating the industry’s brightest talents at the prestigious awards ceremony, which will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow Central, on Thursday, 18th September 2025.

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INDUSTRY
Pilot scheme offers legal aid to rape victims
Victims of rape and attempted rape will soon have access to free legal advice through a proposed pilot initiative backed by the Government. Announced during the stage two proceedings of the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, the service aims to assist victims in preparing for court alongside a lawyer and understanding their rights. Justice Secretary Angela Constance announced: "The pilot is part of the Scottish Government's wider work to improve victims' experiences of the criminal justice system." The initiative, supported by Rape Crisis Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates, will be delivered by the Emma Ritch Law Clinic at Glasgow University. Sandy Brindley, chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland, welcomed the support for the pilot, emphasising the need for informed legal guidance for survivors.
Law firms falling short on cybercrime
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting law firms due to the vast amounts of sensitive client information they hold. According to the Law Firm Benchmarking 2024 report by Crowe, 97% of firms view cybercrime and fraud resilience as a high priority. However, only 32% provide regular training for their staff. Tim Robinson, a partner at Crowe, said: "Clients rely on law firms to protect their data and confidentiality. A cyber-attack can quickly undermine this trust." The average cost of a data breach in 2024 reached nearly£3.7m, highlighting the financial risks involved. Despite the growing threat, many firms lack adequate cybersecurity measures, with 60% citing insufficient awareness at the board level as a major concern. The legal sector was named the worst-performing industry for data breaches last year after Hayes Connor analysed data from the Information Commissioner's Office. In 2020, the Solicitors Regulation Authority found that 20% of law firms it visited had never provided specific cybersecurity training. Dan Schiappa, CPO at cybersecurity firm Arctic Wolf, said law firms must ensure IT teams monitor for potential vulnerabilities, detect threats, and respond to malicious activity. 


 
COURTS
Concerns over court absences landing women in jail
Paula Arnold, governor of HMP and YOI Stirling, has expressed concern over women being imprisoned for missing court appearances due to everyday challenges, such as childcare. She recounted a case where a woman was arrested for not attending court because she lacked transport and childcare. Arnold suggested that increasing the number of virtual courts in communities could help prevent such situations, claiming: "Potentially if there were more virtual courts externally that could be an answer." Currently, 48% of women in her prison are on remand, significantly higher than the national average of 22%. The latest Scottish Government report indicates a stable female prison population but highlights a rising trend in women on remand, which increased from 29% to 33% in the past year. The report also noted that many women in custody face complex needs, including mental health issues and histories of abuse.
PRISONS
Scotland's jail project faces delays
The Scottish Government has acknowledged that the construction of HMP Glasgow, the £1bn replacement for the aging HMP Barlinnie, has been delayed eight times, raising concerns it could miss its 2028 opening. The delays come amid rising tensions within Scotland’s prison system, with HMP Barlinnie currently operating at 137% capacity and a reported 1,000 assaults on staff and prisoners over five years. Critics, including Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur, have blamed the SNP for "mismanagement" and failure to deliver a suitable replacement for the Victorian-era facility. The overcrowding crisis, compounded by long-term prisoners making up 43% of the population, has led to calls for earlier parole and better reintegration strategies.
FIRMS
Appointments
Pinsent Masons has announced the promotion of 24 lawyers to its global partnership. The promotions include Chris Owens, Chris Riach, and Sarah Munro in Edinburgh, who bring expertise in energy, asset management, and employment law, respectively. Elsewhere, Inverness-based solicitor and estate agent Macleod & MacCallum has announced the promotion of four members within its legal team. Aidan Grant and Laura McCarthy have been appointed as senior associates, while Elizabeth Wilson and Gemma Johnston have been promoted to associates.
CASES
Rangers faces lawsuit over fan card
A lawsuit has been initiated by Reputation Exchange PLC (REPX) against Rangers FC in the Court of Session, Edinburgh, claiming the club obstructed the launch of a prepaid fan card. REPX alleges that Rangers breached an agreement, resulting in significant financial losses. The firm stated: "Our client has suffered significant losses as a result of your client's breaches of contract." The company is seeking compensation for £1.5m in losses, £500,000 in aborted costs, and additional expenses. The case is set for a procedural hearing on May 2, 2025.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Audit Scotland to investigate Glasgow Council payments
Audit Scotland has confirmed an investigation into 'golden goodbyes' totaling £1m to five former senior officials at Glasgow City Council. Former chief executive Annemarie O'Donnell received the largest payment, which cost the council £317,417 in relation to her pension. The payments were linked to a restructuring exercise but have sparked criticism at a time when local services face cuts. A report by legal firm Brodies found the severance offered to all five individuals was in accordance with council policies. A spokesperson for Audit Scotland said: "The departure of a number of senior staff from Glasgow City Council will be covered by the external auditors in their next Annual Audit Report which is due to be published shortly."
ECONOMY
Scotland braces for tariff impact
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has warned that tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump will significantly affect Scotland's key industries. The Scotch Whisky Association estimates that the 10% tariff could lead to annual export losses between £200m and £400m. Forbes highlighted that the US is Scotland's second largest export market, with exports valued at approximately £4bn last year, accounting for 17% of all Scottish goods exports. She stated: "Our job is to stand up for Scottish industry," calling on the UK Government to seek a more advantageous deal with the Trump administration.
 


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