Legal Matters Scotland

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THE LAW
Care reform costs £1m monthly
The Scottish Government continues to spend nearly £1m monthly on care service reforms, despite abandoning plans for a national care service. Social care minister Maree Todd stated: "We're still aiming for a national care service, but this Bill will not deliver it," during a committee meeting. The Care Reform (Scotland) Bill, previously the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill, has seen a reduction in its scope and ambition. Labour's Michael Marra highlighted that in January 2024, 170 civil servants were involved, costing taxpayers £1m monthly, although the current team is smaller with a budget of £11m for the year. Tory spokesperson Craig Hoy condemned the ongoing expenditure, stating that ordinary Scots are "picking up the tab" for this "failed project."


 
INDUSTRY
New solicitors celebrate milestone in Edinburgh
Scotland's newest solicitors will be formally admitted to the legal profession today in two ceremonies at the Signet Library, Edinburgh. The event marks a significant achievement for the new lawyers, who have dedicated years to their education and training. Susan Murray, President of the The Law Society of Scotland, expressed pride in welcoming over 700 new solicitors during their tenure, highlighting the growing diversity and dynamism within the profession. "I look forward to witnessing you do great things in your own careers," Murray stated, reflecting on the potential these new lawyers bring to the Scottish legal sector.
UWS faces class action lawsuit
The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) is facing a class action lawsuit after a significant data breach in July 2023, where over a million documents containing personal information of students and staff were stolen by a cyber gang. Legal firm Thompsons Solicitors Scotland is representing more than 50 claimants, asserting that UWS failed to protect personal data adequately. Patrick McGuire, senior partner at Thompsons, stated: "People deserve to know their personal information is safe and cannot be accessed to be used in identity theft." The breach has raised concerns about UWS's financial stability, as the university reported a £14.4m deficit for 2023/24 and staff are considering industrial action. The university's spokesperson claimed they were unaware of any legal action regarding the breach, while Police Scotland continues to investigate the incident.



 
WORKFORCE
Stress-related absences soar in Glasgow
Glasgow City Council staff have reported over 10,000 instances of stress-related sickness in the past eight years, with 1,612 absences in 2024 alone, the highest since 2017. In 2025, at least 636 cases have already been recorded. Councillor Paul Carey BEM highlighted that these figures reflect the excessive demands on frontline staff, noting: "The figures clearly show that frontline workers are being stretched to their absolute limit." The council acknowledges the issue and is committed to supporting staff through counselling services and early intervention policies. However, the rising stress levels are concerning, especially as the council has also faced scrutiny for significant payouts to employees injured at work.
EMPLOYMENT
Managers afraid to call sick staff
Sir Charlie Mayfield, former head of the John Lewis Partnership, has said managers are afraid of contacting employees on sick leave, fearing accusations of bullying. In an interview with the FT, he said that both employees and managers are hesitant to disclose health conditions or reach out due to potential tribunal claims. The UK's long-term sickness issue remains critical, with nearly 2.8m working-age individuals affected. Mayfield's Keep Britain Working review revealed that almost one in four out-of-work individuals due to ill health is under 35. Meanwhile, the number with a "work-limiting health condition" is up by 2.5m in a decade to 8.7m.
FRAUD
UK sees 12% spike in fraud cases
Britain's financial sector reported a staggering 3.31m fraud cases in 2024, marking a 12% increase from the previous year. According to UK Finance, this surge resulted in £1.17bn being stolen, unchanged from 2023. Fraud accounts for 41% of all reported crime in the country. The rise in fraud is attributed to criminals shifting tactics, with a notable increase in remote purchase fraud. Despite efforts to combat fraud, many cases remain unreported, with research indicating that 43% of consumers would not report fraud if they encountered it.
CASES
Mark Keel sentenced for brutal murder
Mark Keel has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the "cowardly and evil" murder of Maxine Clark, a mother of four, in Riddrie, Glasgow. Keel, a serial domestic abuser with a history of violence, must serve a minimum of 22 years before being eligible for parole. Despite being subject to non-harassment orders and referred to the Caledonian Programme for rehabilitation, his attendance was sporadic, and he was released on bail to Ms Clark's home. Prosecutor David Dickson highlighted that Keel had a long history of abusive behaviour, and his actions ultimately led to Ms Clark's tragic death. The case has raised concerns about the justice system's ability to protect victims of domestic abuse.

 
STV
Delivery driver faces court over assaults
Fidelis Amu, a 26-year-old delivery driver from Aberdeen, has appeared in Aberdeen Sheriff Court facing four charges related to sexual assaults on two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16, in Torry. The allegations include sexual assault, indecent communication, and behaving in a threatening manner. Amu did not enter a plea and was granted bail, with the case adjourned for further inquiries. The incidents reportedly occurred on Saturday evening, prompting police involvement.
Woman's suitcase hides £89k cannabis
Shauna Eburne, 54, was caught with £89,148 worth of cannabis after abandoning her suitcase at Glasgow Airport. Upon arriving from Toronto on February 25, she left her luggage and took a taxi to Glasgow city centre, later returning to report it lost. Border Force officers discovered 45 vacuum-sealed packages containing cannabis in the suitcase, weighing 23.46kg. Despite claiming: "I had no idea what was in the suitcase," Eburne pleaded guilty to importing drugs. Sheriff Brian Mohan has called for a criminal justice social work report before sentencing, which is set for June 30.
EDUCATION
SNP 'in disarray' over classroom thugs
John Swinney is facing criticism for the SNP's conflicting stance on school discipline, particularly regarding violent pupils. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said that excluding disruptive children is counterproductive, arguing that "school is often a safer place for many children." This contradicts Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth's earlier assertion that exclusion should be an option to restore discipline. Miles Briggs, the Scottish Tories' education spokesman, highlighted the confusion, stating: "This mixed messaging from senior Cabinet colleagues highlights the SNP's disarray on tackling the epidemic of violence in Scotland's classrooms." Reports indicate a significant decline in pupil exclusions, with only one permanent expulsion in 2022-23 compared to 21 a decade ago. The situation raises concerns about teacher safety, with incidents of violence reported by the EIS union.
HOUSING
Aberdeen residents face RAAC crisis
Over 500 properties, primarily owned by Aberdeen City Council, contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), posing a significant challenge to residents. Initially, The council planned to demolish these homes, but residents are now being offered alternatives. Councillor Miranda Radley acknowledged the impact on homeowners and emphasised the council's commitment to finding "creative solutions" within legal frameworks. A total of 138 private and 366 council homes in the Balnagask area are affected, with demolition plans estimated to exceed £150m. RAAC, used predominantly from the 1950s to 1990s, is known for its lightweight properties but has a limited lifespan and is prone to structural failure.
HEALTH
Scotland sees record abortion numbers
In 2024, Scotland recorded a total of 18,710 abortions, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. The rise has been attributed to a "sustained and substantial increase in demand for termination services," according to Public Health Scotland. Notably, the percentage of abortions performed before nine weeks' gestation decreased from 84% in 2021 to 79% in 2024. The data also revealed a widening gap in termination rates between the wealthiest and most deprived areas, with the latter experiencing rates nearly double that of the former. Women's health minister Jenni Minto said that the Scottish Government is "working to understand" the reasons behind the increase in terminations and aims to improve access to abortion services.
TECHNOLOGY
Mandelson calls for UK and US to unite against China
In a recent speech at the Atlantic Council, Lord Peter Mandelson, the British ambassador to the US, called for the UK and US to collaborate on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to counter the "clear shared threat" posed by China. He said: "There is nothing in this world I fear more than China winning the race for technological dominance in the coming decades." Mandelson described China as a more formidable rival than the Soviet Union ever was, urging both nations to leverage their recent trade deal as a foundation for deeper cooperation. He advocated for unleashing the potential of transformative technologies rather than imposing excessive regulation.
ECONOMY
IMF raises UK growth forecast, issues debt warning
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has revised its growth forecast for the UK, increasing it to 1.2% for this year, up from 1.1% predicted in April. Luc Eyraud, the IMF's mission chief to the UK, said: "These revisions reflect the strong GDP performance in the first quarter, reflecting the resilience of the UK economy despite the complex external environment." The IMF anticipates growth will rise to 1.4% in 2026, driven by lower Bank of England interest rates and increased public spending from Chancellor Rachel Reeves. However, the IMF cautioned that Reeves must adhere to her fiscal goals, warning of "significant risks" to the fiscal strategy due to global uncertainties and rising borrowing costs.
INTERNATIONAL
France moves towards assisted dying law
French MPs have voted to permit assisted dying for individuals in the final stages of terminal illness, with the National Assembly approving the bill by 305 votes to 199. Supported by President Emmanuel Macron, the legislation will now proceed to the Senate and aims to become law by 2027. The bill stipulates that only those with a "serious and incurable disease" who are experiencing "constant physical or psychological suffering" can qualify. Critics, including conservative factions, argue that the definitions are too broad, potentially allowing assisted dying for patients with years to live. A protestor with Parkinson's disease described the bill as a "loaded pistol left on my bedside table." The legislation also includes provisions for palliative care, which many patients currently lack access to.
AND FINALLY...
Glasgow's quirky Domesday Book revealed
Glasgow boasts its own version of the Domesday Book, a collection of biographical notes and newspaper obituaries of councillors from 1890 to 1975, with some information dating back to the 1850s. This unique manuscript, compiled by clerks from the Town Council, serves as a vital resource for researchers exploring the history of Glasgow's civic leaders. As noted: "The Domesday Book provides an excellent, though brief, summary of his political career in the city," referring to James Welsh, a former Lord Provost. The volume not only aids in tracing the careers of past councillors but also connects users to other archival resources, which improves knowledge about Glasgow's political history. Despite its limitations, the Glasgow Domesday Book remains an invaluable tool for historical research.
 


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