Legal Matters Scotland
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17th June 2025

A free early morning round up of news for legal professionals across Scotland.
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INDUSTRY
Law firms accused of exploiting ADHD benefit claims
Law firms in Scotland are offering 'no-win, no-fee' services to individuals with ADHD applying for disability benefits, raising concerns over potential exploitation of the social security system. Firms including ADHD Benefits Scotland charge upfront fees and take a percentage of successful claimants' benefits, diverting public funds away from those in need. Although legal, the practices have sparked criticism for aggressive marketing tactics and monetising vulnerable individuals' claims, with Social Security Scotland urging people to use its free support services instead. The trend coincides with a sharp rise in adult ADHD diagnoses and prescriptions, attributed in part to increased awareness through platforms like TikTok. Citizens Advice Bureau has also flagged concerns about law firms recruiting staff specifically for benefit claims, warning of systemic abuse.


Denovo & First Scottish Launch Integration to Accelerate Property Search Efficiency

Denovo has partnered with First Scottish, Scotland's leading provider of property searches, to enhance conveyancing workflows. This integration with Denovo's CaseLoad case management platform simplifies the property search process, offering significant time savings, improved accuracy, and reduced administrative workload. This collaboration sets a new standard for efficiency in the Scottish legal sector. Legal professionals can now access faster, more accurate search services with ease, improving their overall practice management.

Read more

 
CRIME
Grooming inquiry 'must be fearless in confronting uncomfortable truths'
Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, has announced a national inquiry into grooming gangs, following a critical report highlighting failures by authorities. She said that victims of these "despicable crimes" have been "let down" and welcomed the thorough review led by Baroness Casey. The report revealed a "deep-rooted failure to treat children as children" and noted that perpetrators of Asian heritage were "overrepresented" in cases, suggesting a reluctance to address the issue for fear of appearing racist. Ms Cooper also detailed that the National Crime Agency would spearhead a nationwide operation to track down more offenders, noting that more than 800 grooming gang cases have already been identified by police. The inquiry aims to ensure accountability and justice for victims, with concerns raised about the potential for civil unrest if findings are not addressed decisively. The Victims' Commissioner, Helen Newlove, said: "This inquiry must be fearless in confronting uncomfortable truths." She added: "Too many girls were failed by the very institutions charged with their protection. This is our chance to lift the stone, expose those failures, and ensure they are never repeated."
Rural crime falls sharply amid crackdown
The cost of rural crime in Scotland fell by 33% to £1.2m in 2024, according to new figures from NFU Mutual, following coordinated efforts to combat organised countryside crime. Nationwide, rural crime dropped 16.5% to £44.1m, with agricultural vehicle thefts and GPS unit losses both falling sharply. However, quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) remain prime targets for thieves, while livestock theft, often involving large-scale raids, continues to cause severe distress to farmers. NFU Mutual, working alongside law enforcement and industry groups, credits the decline to joint initiatives including the National Rural Crime Unit’s seizure of £4.4m worth of stolen machinery last year.



 
EMPLOYMENT
New rules look to boost pay transparency
The Government is considering new measures to enhance pay transparency among businesses and combat pay discrimination. Proposed changes include requiring employers to disclose salary brackets in job adverts and publish pay structures. Ministers are also contemplating increasing fines for companies that violate equal pay laws, which will now encompass race and disability discrimination. A Government spokesperson said: "What our duty will do is require specified public bodies to consider how their choices might tackle socioeconomic inequality of outcome." The initiative aligns with the EU's pay transparency directive, promoting a proactive approach to pay equity. However, business groups have expressed concerns that these regulations may hinder their ability to attract talent. Dónall Breen, a senior associate at employment law firm Littler, noted: "There will be a proactive duty on employers to consider pay equity in their organisation and employees will have much more information about salary bands and pay structuring."
Gents is 'old fashioned' and 'unacceptable'
A recent tribunal ruling has seen the term 'gents' deemed "old fashioned" and "not inclusive" for modern workplaces. This decision arose from a case involving Elaine Scott, a former employee of Royal & Sun Alliance, who claimed sex discrimination after receiving emails addressed to 'gents'. The tribunal, led by Employment Judge Dawn Shotter, acknowledged that while the term was inappropriate, it did not constitute a breach of equality law. Judge Shotter said the tribunal found the term to be an example of "old fashioned language in a corporate environment that is unacceptable today." 


 
PRISONS
More than 150 violent offenders released early
New figures from the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) show that nearly half of the 312 inmates released early to ease overcrowding were serving sentences for violent crimes. Under emergency legislation introduced in February, prisoners serving less than four years can now be released after serving 40% of their sentence, down from 50%. Of those freed between February and March, 152 had committed non-sexual violent offences, while others had committed crimes against society or dishonesty-related offences. The SPS warned that despite temporary relief, rising prison numbers continue to strain staff and hinder rehabilitation, with eight prisons at red risk status. The Scottish government has responded by increasing the SPS budget to £481.5m for 2025/26.
INTERNATIONAL
ABA takes on Trump
The American Bar Association (ABA) has initiated a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging a campaign of intimidation against major law firms. The lawsuit claims that the administration's executive orders violate the US Constitution by targeting law firms based on their past clients and hired lawyers. William Bay, the ABA's president, stated: "There has never been a more urgent time for the ABA to defend its members, our profession and the rule of law itself." The ABA, representing around 150,000 members, argues that Trump's actions have hindered its ability to find law firms willing to represent it in litigation against the federal government. The lawsuit follows a series of court victories for law firms challenging Trump's orders, which stripped their lawyers of security clearances and limited their access to government officials.
CASES
No further review needed of Hogg domestic abuse order
Former Scotland rugby captain Stuart Hogg has shown "complete compliance" with a community payback order following his conviction for domestic abuse, a sheriff confirmed at a review hearing. Hogg, 32, pleaded guilty last year to a single charge of abusive behaviour towards his estranged wife, Gillian Hogg, spanning five years. In January, he was sentenced to one year of supervision as an alternative to jail. At Jedburgh Sheriff Court, the sheriff ruled no further reviews were necessary.
Campaigners exceed fundraising targe to take council to court
Campaigners on the Isle of Mull have successfully surpassed their fundraising goal of £50,000 to challenge Argyll and Bute Council's decision to build a new school in Tobermory. The Mull Campus Working Group (MCWG) has lodged a petition for a Judicial Review at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, arguing that the council's decision is "shoddy and biased" and disregards the majority opinion of islanders. They claim the council's approach is unfair, as it limits consultation to a single site, which would continue to necessitate boarding for children from the south of Mull.
HOLYROOD
First Minister calls for 'national renewal' in public services
First Minister John Swinney has given a keynote speech on public services at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow - describing the need for a "process of national renewal and rebirth" bringing together partners from the public sector, private sector and third sector at national, regional and local levels. "Public services first built in and for the 20th century must become rooted instead in the realities of the 21st", he said, with "public services too that are modern, accessible, flexible, responsive and seamless. Services capable of responding to life’s crises as well as to life’s everyday." Speaking to journalists at the event, Mr Swinney also confirmed that no pensioner in Scotland "will receive less than they would" under the UK Government's revised Winter Fuel Payment scheme, which will restore payments for those who earn under £35,000.
 


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