Legal Matters Scotland
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19th December 2025

A free early morning round up of news for legal professionals across Scotland.
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INDUSTRY
Scotland's justice sector faces funding crisis
Scotland's justice sector requires an additional £400m to avoid significant cuts to frontline services, according to the Criminal Justice Committee. Convener Audrey Nicoll described the situation as "gravely concerning," emphasising that a flat cash settlement would not suffice. The report highlights the need for increased funding across various services, including Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Nicoll stated: "Without additional funding, it will face unacceptable cuts to frontline services." The committee also urged the Government to consider multi-year funding settlements for better financial planning.
New appointments at Law Society
The Law Society of Scotland has appointed Jan Cutting as Executive Director of Member Experience and Jessica MacDonald as Executive Director of Operations, with both set to take up their roles in the spring. Cutting will focus on expanding services for the Society’s 13,000-strong membership, while MacDonald will oversee HR, finance, and digital transformation.

 
THE LAW
Bridget Phillipson blocks EHRC guidance
Labour minister Bridget Phillipson is preventing the release of new Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance on women-only spaces, labelling it "trans-exclusive". Despite a recent Supreme Court ruling affirming that sex under equality law refers to biological sex, Phillipson has not approved the draft guidance submitted in September. She argues that the proposals could lead to unintended consequences, but shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho said the Government was "doing everything it can to deny women the right to single-sex spaces."
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CRIME
Campaigners call for Lady Smith to be sacked from Inquiry
One year after childhood sex abuse survivor Kevin Sutherland took his own life, his family and campaigners are calling for the dismissal of Lady Smith, chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, over her refusal to grant him anonymity. A letter to First Minister John Swinney, signed by more than 60 people including MSPs, abuse survivors, and experts, argues that Smith's continued leadership undermines the credibility of the inquiry. The signatories criticised the failure to address Sutherland's death or offer condolences to his family, accusing the inquiry of prioritising self-preservation over justice.
CASES
Man mistaken for Sir Chris Hoy cleared of fraud
A man who was mistaken for Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy by hotel staff in Edinburgh has been cleared of fraudulently obtaining a £600 stay. Gary Towsey, 43, was wearing Highland dress that had been stolen from a hire shop when he entered the Bonham Hotel in September 2023. He admitted to possessing the recovered kilt, jacket, and shoes but was found not guilty of fraud, with his lawyer citing a "foolish drunken mistake" and noting his ongoing recovery from alcoholism.

 
STV
FIRMS
Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader set to merge in record $3.6bn deal
Hogan Lovells and Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft are merging to form a new firm, Hogan Lovells Cadwalader, with combined revenues exceeding $3.6bn. The merger will create the world's fifth-largest law firm, employing over 3,000 lawyers. Hogan Lovells CEO Miguel Zaldivar will lead the new entity. Partners will vote on the merger in spring, with completion expected by June. Despite potential office overlaps, job losses are not anticipated.
HOLYROOD
Regan faces Holyrood ban over social media post
Independent MSP Ash Regan is facing a two-day ban from Holyrood after sharing a social media post about Green parliamentarian Maggie Chapman. In April, Regan posted an image of a letter she had sent to the presiding officer, in which she complained about Chapman's comments concerning a UK Supreme Court ruling on gender. Under the Scottish Parliament's code of conduct, MSPs are prohibited from publicly commenting on formal complaints while they are under consideration. As a result, Holyrood's standards committee has recommended that Regan be excluded from parliamentary meetings and committees for two sitting days, subject to approval by a vote of the full parliament.
IMPORTANT CHANGES
A Note to our Readers

We’re excited to share an important update with our readers. Legal Matters Scotland will soon be changing its name to Legal Slice, becoming the Scottish edition of the Legal Slice brand, alongside our established US and UK editions.  

This change reflects our continued growth and allows us to align more closely with an international legal news service, while our content will remain firmly rooted in Scotland. Importantly, there is nothing you need to do. Our focus, editorial standards, and commitment to high-quality legal news summaries and content remain exactly the same.  

You can continue to expect the same trusted daily coverage of Scottish legal news, insights, and developments that keep you informed and up to date. Only the name is changing, the content, independence, and dedication to Scotland’s legal community are not.  

Thank you for your continued support as we enter this next chapter and we wish you a fantastic Christmas and a Happy New Year.

 
POLICING
Prosecution of anti-Semitic chants faces hurdles
Former Supreme Court justice Lord Sumption stated that prosecuting anti-Semitic chants at pro-Palestine marches would be "exceptionally difficult." The Met Police and Manchester Police announced arrests for slogans like "globalise the intifada" following recent terror attacks. Lord Sumption explained that proving intent to incite violence is crucial for prosecution.
TECHNOLOGY
UK to ban nudification apps
The UK Government plans to ban nudification apps, which use AI to edit images and remove clothing. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce violence against women and girls. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: "Women and girls deserve to be safe online as well as offline." The new law will criminalise the creation and distribution of these apps, building on existing regulations against non-consensual deepfakes. Experts warn that such technology can cause significant harm, especially in cases involving child sexual abuse material.
INSURANCE
Hospitality businesses face insurance deadline crisis
Thousands of hospitality businesses risk losing Covid-related insurance compensation due to a looming deadline. Industry leaders and UKHospitality have urged the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to extend the business interruption claims deadline by two years. Currently, fewer than 50,000 claims have been accepted from an estimated 370,000 eligible policies. Aaron le Marquer from disputes firm Stewarts stated: "It is vital that adequate time is now allowed for the latest court decisions to be implemented." The groups warn that without an extension, many businesses may be left without compensation.
ECONOMY
Bank of England cuts rates to 3.75%
The Bank of England has cut interest rates by a quarter point to 3.75% in response to a weakening labour market and slowing inflation. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted 5-4 in favour of the cut, marking the first reduction since August. Governor Andrew Bailey noted that rising unemployment and lower growth indicated economic slack, outweighing inflation concerns. He said: "We've passed the recent peak in inflation and it has continued to fall." The Bank expects inflation to reach its 2% target by the second quarter of next year. "This is a cautious cut," said Michael Saunders, a senior adviser at Oxford Economics and former MPC member. "Further easing is likely to be gradual and is not guaranteed."
 


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