A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

MSPs will hold a final vote on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill in March, following confirmation that amendments will be debated from 10 March, with a decisive vote expected on 17 March. The legislation, led by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, would allow assisted dying for eligible terminally ill adults under specified safeguards. McArthur urged Parliament to support what he described as a compassionate reform reflecting public opinion, while acknowledging the decision would be difficult for some members. The vote will be a free vote across parties, with First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes among those opposed. Developments elsewhere in the British Isles, including Jersey and the Isle of Man, were cited by supporters as momentum for change. Any law would require additional UK legislation protecting medical professionals who choose whether to participate before coming into force.

 

STV	The Daily Record

Why Failing to Upgrade Your Legal Software Could Be Hurting Your Firm’s Profitability

Hidden behind “the way we’ve always done it” are lost billable hours, slow billing cycles, frustrated staff, and missed revenue opportunities. While client expectations rise and competitors embrace smarter legal software systems, firms that delay upgrading risk falling quietly, but steadily, behind.

The real question isn’t whether new legal technology is worth the investment. It’s how much staying the same is already costing you.

Discover how modern legal software can unlock productivity, improve cash flow, and boost team satisfaction, and why failing to upgrade could be hurting your firm’s profitability.

Read more.

 

The Scottish Government is consulting on new laws that would criminalise the creation of deepfake intimate images without consent, as part of wider reforms to tackle violence against women and girls. Existing legislation covers sharing such material, but ministers are examining whether creating it should also be an offence, alongside potential restrictions on tools designed for that purpose. The consultation also explores measures on spiking offences and treating pregnancy as an aggravating factor in domestic abuse cases. Responses are open until June.

 

Sky News

The Press and Journal

 

Police Scotland officers will be granted temporary powers from 20 March to disperse groups of two or more people from parts of Glasgow city centre if their behaviour is considered to affect public safety. Individuals directed to leave could be banned from the area for 24 hours. The dispersal zone includes locations such as Glasgow Central Station, St Enoch Square and Union Street, identified as areas of concern. The initiative forms part of wider partnership efforts to address antisocial behaviour and support city centre recovery. Glasgow City Council has backed the measures and approved additional investment to expand CCTV coverage to assist policing and improve public reassurance.

 

STV	Daily Mail (Scot)

Lisa Petrie, 44, met with Justice Secretary Angela Constance at the Scottish Parliament to advocate for stricter regulations on knife sales following the death of her son, John Mcnab, last year. Petrie proposed that knives be stored behind counters to prevent theft. Constance agreed to investigate further measures with local authorities and retailers. Over 53,000 people have signed Petrie's petition for tighter security. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar also supports her calls, promising to implement regulations if elected as First Minister. "Knife crime is truly a scourge on our society," he stated.

 

The Daily Record

Parents of children treated at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital have accused Scotland’s first minister John Swinney of refusing calls for independent case-by-case reviews into the long-term effects of prophylactic medicines given during cancer treatment. Families allege the drugs were administered for extended periods due to infection risks linked to building defects, and may have caused lasting disabilities. The Government said it could not comment on individual clinical decisions and would await the outcome of the ongoing public inquiry into the hospital before considering further action. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde expressed sympathy but said prophylactic medication can form part of routine care for immunocompromised patients. Opposition politicians have supported calls for an independent expert panel to examine individual cases.

 

The Times (Scotland)

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh has warned that the NHS in Scotland may struggle to remain "free at the point of use" without significant reform and investment, stating the service is unlikely to survive in its current form. Ahead of the May Holyrood election, the college called on political parties to set out clear plans addressing workforce shortages, delayed discharges and integration with adult social care. Waiting lists remain high, with more than 517,000 patients awaiting treatment or appointments at the end of 2025. The organisation emphasised the need for cross-party cooperation to secure long-term sustainability. Political parties responded with differing proposals, while the Scottish Government said it remained committed to protecting the NHS’s founding principles.

 

The Scotsman

Inheritance Tax (IHT) is increasingly affecting ordinary homeowners in Scotland, with £7.13bn collected from April 2025 to January 2026. This marks a £1.3bn rise from the previous year, impacting 31,500 estates, or 4.62% of all estates. The nil-rate band has been frozen since 2009, and if adjusted for inflation, it would be £523,419. By 2030/31, IHT collections could reach £14.5bn, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. David J Alexander, CEO of DJ Alexander Scotland Ltd, said: "It can't be right that this specific group... should be seen as an easy target for increased taxation."

 

The Scotsman

Andrea Manson, the convener of Shetland Islands Council, has been banned as a company director for three-and-a-half years due to unpaid taxes. Her pub company, Mid Brae Inn Limited, owed over £170,000 when it went into liquidation in 2023. The UK Government's Insolvency Service reported that the company failed to pay more than £110,000 in VAT and nearly £60,000 in PAYE and national insurance contributions from 2019 to 2023. Neil North, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, stated: "Directors have a duty to ensure their companies pay the taxes they owe."

 

The Press and Journal

Glennon Brothers, a timber processing firm, has acquired Pontrilas Group Limited, enhancing its strategic growth. This acquisition merges two family-owned businesses committed to sustainable timber production. DWF provided legal advice on the acquisition and financing, utilising a multi-jurisdictional team from its Belfast, Dublin, Scottish, and English offices.

 

Scottish Legal News

Instagram will notify parents if their teenagers repeatedly search for terms related to suicide or self-harm. Starting next week, parents using Instagram's parental supervision tools in the UK, US, Australia, and Canada will receive alerts via email, text, or WhatsApp. Meta stated that these notifications aim to help parents support their teens. The move aligns with the UK's Online Safety Act, which mandates platforms to protect children from harmful content.

 

BBC News

City AM

Five major UK news outlets have formed the Standards for Publisher Usage Rights coalition (SPUR) to address the challenges posed by AI's use of news content. The coalition, which includes the Financial Times, The Guardian, the Daily Telegraph, the BBC, and Sky News, aims to establish protocols for fair use and protect original journalism. In an open letter, they stated: "We believe we need to come together to protect original journalism and secure the long-term sustainability of our industry." SPUR seeks to create shared standards that ensure fair compensation for publishers while allowing AI developers access to quality journalism.

 

Sky News

Press Gazette

Residents of North Queensferry have successfully challenged the Scottish Government's decision to reject their community buy-out plan for the historic Albert Hotel. Sheriff W. Robertson ruled that the ministers' decision lacked fairness and natural justice, as they relied on unchallenged criticisms from the pub's owner, Kenny Waugh. The court has ordered the application to be reconsidered, allowing the North Queensferry Community Trust to respond to the criticisms.

 

The Daily Record