Legal Matters Scotland
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4th December 2025

A free early morning round up of news for legal professionals across Scotland.
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CRIME
Prof. Alexis Jay to chair grooming gang review
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth has announced that the Scottish Government has commissioned a national review of evidence on the operation of grooming gangs in Scotland - to be led by Professor Alexis Jay, who chaired the UK Government's Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Professor Jay had recently expressed concerns that there is no "accurate picture of the nature and extent" of such abuse in Scotland, Ms Gilruth noted, and she has now "accepted the role of the independent chair for the National Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation strategic group". The group, she added, will include representation from the Care Inspectorate, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Education, His Majesty's Constabulary, and Health Improvement Scotland.

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THE LAW
Concerns raised over domestic abuse bill
Women's organisations in Scotland have expressed concerns about the Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill during a recent meeting of the criminal justice committee at Holyrood. They highlighted the potential bureaucratic burden on existing services and called for amendments regarding resources and funding. Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women's Aid, stated: "I'm concerned that the measures proposed are not really going to make a big difference for women and children." The committee agreed that further work is needed to ensure the bill effectively supports victims.
UK explores tougher laws on AI chatbots
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has told MPs that AI chatbots could be more tightly regulated in the UK over concerns they could encourage teenagers to commit acts of self-harm. The Online Safety Act was written before the rise of generative AI and Kendall said she wants to make sure bots such as ChatGPT do not benefit from any loopholes. The Telegraph points out that Jonathan Hall KC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, has already warned that chatbots are not covered by the Online Safety Act.
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CASES
Mobile giants face class action lawsuit
O2, Vodafone, EE, and Three are facing a class action lawsuit in the UK, alleging they overcharged loyal customers. The claim, led by consumer rights expert Justin Gutmann, seeks at least £1.141bn in damages for up to 10.9m contracts from 1 October 2015 to 31 March 2025. Customers could receive up to £104 for each affected contract. Gutmann stated: "For far too long the phone companies have been taking advantage of their loyal customers." The Competition Appeal Tribunal has approved the case to proceed to trial.
Sadistic teacher spared jail
Patricia Robertson, 77, a former teacher at Fornethy House, has been convicted of abusing 18 young girls between 1969 and 1984. Despite the severity of her crimes, which included physical and emotional abuse, she received a three-year supervision order and was ordered to pay £18,000 to her victims. Judge Lord Colbeck described her actions as "sadistic" and noted the lasting trauma inflicted on the children. Rona Hargan, who spent time at Fornethy between 1976 and 1979 and was one of Robertson's victims, criticised the sentence as "too light."
TAX
Whistleblowers could earn big from HMRC
HMRC has introduced a new reward scheme for whistleblowers reporting tax avoidance or evasion, similar to the US IRS model. Individuals providing information on serious tax avoidance, defined as £1.5m or more, can earn 15% to 30% of the recovered funds, potentially reaching £450,000. Paul Dowling from Leigh Day noted increased interest from potential informants. He said: "Whistleblowers can face retaliation... They need expert guidance." HMRC encourages anyone with information to report it, pointing to the importance of returning stolen tax revenue to the public.
HOLYROOD
Finance committee demand to see Yousaf advice
Holyrood's finance committee has requested to see official advice given to Humza Yousaf regarding his relationship with lawyer Aamer Anwar. The committee wants to know if Yousaf should have declared this connection when he announced a judge-led inquiry into Sheku Bayoh's death in police custody in 2019. Yousaf did not declare his friendship with Anwar, who represents Bayoh's family, until December 2023. Anwar remarked: "For some reason this committee appears obsessed with myself."
FIRMS
Firms unite for stronger future
Douglas Gilmour & Son and Pike & Chapman, two long-established legal firms in the Borders, will merge to form Gilmour Pike Chapman Limited by April 1, 2026. Joint directors Stephanie Robertson and Iain Burke will lead the new entity. Robertson stated: "By bringing the two offices under one exciting new brand, I believe that Gilmour Pike Chapman can become an even stronger legal presence."
FINANCE
FCA accelerates motor finance complaint timeline
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has advanced the deadline for lenders to address motor finance complaints to 31 May, following a Supreme Court ruling. This change is part of a compensation scheme for consumers affected by excessive car loan interest rates, estimated to cost lenders £11bn. The FCA said: "It is important that complaints are now dealt with promptly, not least as some consumers have been waiting almost two years for an answer." The regulator is currently consulting on the scheme's timeframes, with final rules expected by February or March 2026.
INTERNATIONAL
Doctor sentenced over ketamine death of Matthew Perry
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 44, has received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for selling ketamine linked to the death of actor Matthew Perry. Perry, 54, was found dead in his hot tub on October 28, 2023. Plasencia pleaded guilty to four counts of ketamine distribution but was not charged with selling the dose that caused Perry's death. Prosecutors stated that Perry received over 20 shots of ketamine from his personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, in the days leading up to his death. The Department of Justice claims an underground network exploited Perry's addiction. Plasencia's lawyers called it the "biggest mistake of his life."
ECONOMY
UK services growth hits a snag
UK services growth slowed in November, with the S&P Global UK services PMI survey scoring 51.3, down from 52.3 in October. Tim Moore, economics director at S&P Global, noted that demand conditions weakened in both domestic and export markets. Firms cited subdued business and consumer confidence as reasons for delays in investment decisions and a significant drop in staff numbers. Price inflation eased to its lowest level since January 2021, with Matt Swannell from EY Item Club suggesting that this could lead to an interest rate cut before Christmas.
 


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