A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
2nd April 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Scottish police more stretched than ever
Senior police officers have warned that Police Scotland can no longer adequately police communities due to budget cuts, with the head of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, Rob Hay, saying a "reshaping" of the service is now inevitable. The warning comes amid rising demand, including a 50% increase in protests over the past year, while funding reductions are set to impact recruitment vetting and cut overtime by 20%. Chief Constable Jo Farrell acknowledged "extremely difficult decisions" in the force’s budget plans, as concerns grow over resources and staffing. The Scottish Government insisted officer numbers would be maintained, but opposition figures said the cuts risk undermining public safety.

Digital Transformation in Conveyancing: A Roadmap for Scottish Property Law Firms

Conveyancing in Scotland is reaching a tipping point. While firms have access to more technology than ever before, many are still held back by manual processes, fragmented systems, and growing administrative pressure. The gap is no longer about awareness, it’s about execution. Leading firms are already taking a more strategic, phased approach to digital transformation, using technology to remove friction, improve compliance, and unlock capacity across their teams.

Those who act now are setting the pace for the future of property law.

Read more to see what the most forward-thinking firms are doing differently, and how your firm can keep up.

 
INDUSTRY
Regulators probe lawyers over Post Office scandal
Regulators are investigating up to 25 lawyers for alleged misconduct related to the Post Office-Horizon scandal. Sarah Rapson, head of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, confirmed the inquiry into the biggest miscarriage of justice in British legal history, which saw over 700 sub-postmasters wrongfully prosecuted due to a faulty software system. Ms Rapson said: "We owe it to the sub-postmasters to do this properly." The investigation focuses on the management of private prosecutions and potential issues with disclosure obligations. Some cases may proceed to a disciplinary tribunal before police decisions are made.


Inksters are supporting the ABS Scotland Group as founding members and with Brian Inkster being a member of the committee.

The Group was born out of frustration with the Law Society of Scotland’s delays in implementing Alternative Business Structures (or Licensed Legal Service Providers) in Scotland.

By 2025, there had already been a 15-year delay in implementation following on from the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. There was hope that the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 would speed the process up. However, instead, the Law Society of Scotland announced a freeze of at least another two years on doing anything at all on ABS.

The main objective of the Group is to encourage and facilitate the introduction of ABS to Scotland.

You can join the ABS Scotland Group by completing the membership application form.

 
CORPORATE
Lawsuit accuses Rightmove of charging excessive fees
A class action lawsuit has been launched against Rightmove, seeking nearly £1.5bn in damages over claims it abused its dominant position in the property portal market by charging excessive fees. The case, led by accountant Jeremy Newman, argues that estate agents have faced rising costs without improved services, forcing some to cut staff and pass expenses onto customers. Many agents say they feel compelled to use Rightmove despite high fees because it generates most of their leads, reinforcing its market power. Rightmove denies the allegations, stating the claim is without merit and highlighting the value its platform provides. More than 250 estate agents have put their weight behind the legal challenge.
CASES
Man died after being 'negligently exposed' to asbestos
A Lanarkshire man, John Reid, died aged 53 from mesothelioma just weeks before a court ruled his former employers had negligently exposed him to asbestos. The Court of Session found both MCM Building & Civil Engineering Construction Ltd and Pyramid Joinery & Construction Ltd had failed to provide adequate protection or warnings, despite exposing him to dangerous levels of asbestos during his work. Evidence showed Mr Reid handled asbestos materials directly and worked in heavily contaminated environments without proper safety measures. His legal team said it was “profoundly upsetting” that he did not live to see the judgment confirming his illness was caused by workplace failures.
Developer to contest planning refusal
Developer Lomond Banks has launched a legal challenge after Scottish ministers rejected plans for a £40m Flamingo Land-style resort at Loch Lomond, citing concerns over flooding and environmental damage. Lomond Banks said it disputed how the decision was reached, while Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer condemned the move as an "insult" to communities and campaigners who opposed the project. The proposal, which included hotels, lodges and a waterpark, had faced years of controversy and attracted more than 150,000 objections.
FIRMS
Appointments
Addleshaw Goddard has strengthened its social and affordable housing group with the arrival of a team of national experts from Trowers, including partners Richard St John Williams and Amy Shaw, alongside legal directors Katie Hardiman, Tom Wainwright and James McCormack. Meanwhile, Burness Paull has promoted five lawyers to partner: Jo McLean, Fiona Carlin, Kirstin Beattie, Lisa Byars and Stuart Gardiner, across its technology and commercial, restructuring and insolvency, construction and projects, employment, and real estate teams. Elsewhere, MJC LAW has welcomed Kellie Marshall as a newly qualified solicitor and Jenni Walsh as an administrative assistant, while promoting Calum Forbes to trainee legal assistant and Karianne Falconer to associate director, as part of its continued growth and investment in its team.
COURTS
Detainees given warm clothing in 'cold' custody unit
Staff at Perth Sheriff Court's custody unit were forced to provide detainees with warm clothing due to cold cells, according to inspectors who found poor heating, damp conditions and significant structural deterioration. A report by HM Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland said longstanding issues, including damage identified in 2020, remained unresolved and called for urgent refurbishment. Inspectors concluded the facility falls below acceptable standards of decency, with additional concerns over accessibility and hygiene.
HEALTH
Consultation launched on Edinburgh drug consumption facility
City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian have launched a public consultation on proposals for a safer drug consumption room to be established in the city's Old Town. Christine Laverty, chief officer of the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, commented: "Every drug death is a tragedy, and we must continue to work to reduce drug deaths and reduce the harm caused by drug use wherever possible." Research, she added, along with data from Glasgow's Thistle facility, "suggests that this type of facility would reduce drug related harm and, crucially, reduce the number of fatal overdoses".
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Councillors suspended amid assault and fraud cases
The SNP has suspended Cllr Tracy Carragher, leader of the party group at North Lanarkshire Council, in the face of concerns over her handling of complaints of sexual assault against former council leader Jordan Linden, who was recently convicted of a total of ten offences. Cllr Carragher was also on the party's regional list for Central Scotland and Lothians West, but has now been removed as a candidate. Meanwhile, the Scottish Labour Party has suspended Pollokshields Community Council chair Mohammed Ameen as the party's candidate for Glasgow Southside in the upcoming Holyrood election following his appearance at Ayr Sheriff Court to face an allegation of fraud.
INTERNATIONAL
Japan allows joint custody for divorcing couples
Japan has revised its Civil Code to allow joint custody for divorced couples, a significant change for the country. Previously, Japan was the only G7 nation without this legal provision, typically granting custody to one parent, often the mother. Critics argued that this system led to estrangement between parents and children. The new law enables family courts to decide on custody arrangements.

 

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