A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

The Scottish Conservatives, led by Russell Findlay, propose sending prisoners to foreign jails to alleviate overcrowding in Scotland's prisons. The plan aims to end the SNP's early-release policies, which Findlay criticises as reckless. He stated: "Our common-sense plans would put an end to the SNP's reckless early-release schemes." Currently, Scotland's prison population has reached a record high of 8,452, prompting the Government to release over 500 inmates early. The SNP dismissed the proposal as "fanciful" and lacking cost analysis, highlighting the need for serious solutions to prison overcrowding.

 

The Scotsman

 

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has lost its appeal for £33m in compensation over faulty fire cladding at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, after Scotland’s highest civil court ruled the claim was filed too late. Judges at the Court of Session upheld an earlier decision that the case was time-barred under a five-year legal limit for construction claims, despite the health board arguing it only discovered the defects years after the hospital opened in 2015. Contractor Multiplex faces a separate £73m claim over other alleged building faults. Lawyers say the judgment signals a strict interpretation of time-limit exceptions in such cases.

 

The Times

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.

 

Kate Nevens, a Scottish Green Party candidate who has faced scrutiny over past calls to abolish prisons, has softened her stance, saying prison should remain but only as a "last resort" for serious and violent offenders. Ms Nevens says that the current system fails to rehabilitate offenders and that greater focus should be placed on prevention, rehabilitation, and community-based justice to reduce reoffending. While the Greens support reducing prison use and expanding community sentencing, full abolition is not official party policy. 

 

The Times

A new BBC documentary, Inside Barlinnie, reveals the severe impact of synthetic opioids in the Scottish prison. The documentary highlights the alarming rise of nitazenes, linked to over 300 deaths. The series also explores the broader issues of addiction and reintegration challenges faced by released prisoners.

 

The Mail on Sunday

The City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed that a small number of trans women have accessed its women-focused Willow Service, which supports vulnerable women involved in the criminal justice system. Figures indicate nine trans women have used the service in recent years. The council said support is provided regardless of whether users were assigned female at birth. Critics argue this may conflict with the For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers ruling on biological sex. The council said it is reviewing its approach in light of the judgment.

 

The Scotsman

Business Secretary Peter Kyle says reforms to workers' rights will bring workplaces into the modern age. Changes coming into force through the Employment Rights Act include immediate eligibility for statutory sick pay and expanded parental leave, with the legislation also addressing issues like zero hours contracts and fire and rehire practices. Mr Kyle said the Government has "brought workers' rights into the age we're living in." 

 

Daily Mirror

Myles Fitt, the head of Citizens Advice Scotland's financial health team, writes in the Herald to call on the next Scottish Government to deliver "much-needed, too long-awaited reform" to council tax administration and debt recovery. Council tax debt has been the most common debt issue raised by those contacting the charity "for well over a decade", he writes, with a key factor being the "fast and harsh debt recovery process, particularly when it's applied to those who are unable to pay due to low income", with those least able to pay facing almost immediate demands for a full year's bill, with these demands then escalating to legal recovery. While councils "have a wide range of payment flexibilities to help those in need, and they stand ready to help", he says, the debt recovery process "is driving some of the demand for that help when it doesn't need to be", as it is "aimed at people who have the money to pay but refuse to pay", not those who are struggling.

 

Herald Scotland

Starting today, over 65,000 Scots will face higher income tax rates due to the SNP Government's decision to freeze thresholds. This change means that 26.3% of taxpayers will pay the higher 42p, advanced 45p, or top 48p rates. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay stated: "This is Black Monday for Scotland in terms of taxpayers." The Scottish Fiscal Commission projects that the number of higher-rate taxpayers will rise to 977,250 by 2029/30. Public Finance Minister Ivan McKee claimed most people will pay less tax than in the rest of the UK.

 

Daily Mail (Scot)

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has announced a range of policy proposals aimed at boost home ownership ahead of the Holyrood elections - including raising the threshold for Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) relief for first-time buyers to £200,000. Mr Sarwar also set out plans for a £1 homes scheme to bring long-term vacant properties back into use, along with more powers for local authorities to acquire derelict properties, supported by Government-backed loans. "The SNP", he said, "has failed to help first-time buyers and left too many people stuck paying soaring rents, unable to save and locked out of the housing ladder. I'm standing to fix the mess, get the basics right, and build a better future for Scotland."

 

Daily Mail

Police Scotland has reported that 141 registered sex offenders reside in North Ayrshire as of March 2026. This figure represents an increase from 432 to 452 offenders across Ayrshire. Approximately 30% of these offenders live in Irvine, while another 30% are in the Three Towns: Ardrossan, Saltcoats, and Stevenston. Police Scotland stated: "Protecting the public is a priority... we want to reassure communities that all reasonable steps are being taken to protect them." Some areas, like Beith/Glengarnock, lack detailed statistics due to low populations.

 

Irvine Times

Scottish Labour has accused the SNP of repeatedly covering up scandals and bullying victims. Deputy leader Jackie Baillie condemned the party's handling of the Jordan Linden sexual misconduct case, linking it to past controversies involving Patrick Grady, Mark McDonald, and Derek Mackay. Linden, the former North Lanarkshire Council leader, was convicted last month of ten offences, including five sexual assaults, committed between 2011 and 2021. Baillie stated: "Time and time again, they choose to cover up, lie, and bully victims, rather than doing the right thing." An SNP spokesman welcomed the verdict against Linden.

 

Daily Mail (Scot)

Two street patrol groups in Glasgow with links to far-right networks have been banned from TikTok after using the platform to recruit members. The groups, ScotsActive and Save Our Country, claimed to protect women by patrolling areas associated with rising sexual crime, but have been accused of targeting ethnic minorities and promoting anti-immigrant narratives. The controversy has intensified due to involvement from Reform UK figures, though police denied claims the patrols had official approval and said they do not support such groups. TikTok confirmed the bans were in line with its rules against hate speech and content promoting violence or criminal behaviour.

 

The Times

More than 70 children from conflict zones whose ages were disputed by the Home Office have been detained in UK adult immigration centres under the Government’s "one in, one out" scheme, which swaps small boat arrivals for asylum seekers entering legally. Research by the Humans for Rights Network identified 76 such cases, raising concerns that detaining potentially underage, unaccompanied asylum seekers is unlawful and harmful, particularly given many are vulnerable survivors of trauma. Some were later confirmed to be children after social worker assessments. Of those detained, 26 have been released into children’s services, 11 into adult accommodation, and 13 have already been removed to France. The policy has seen over 400 people returned in total. Critics argue the Home Office is failing to properly assess age before detention or removal, risking harm to children.

 

The Guardian

David Robertson, chief executive of Scottish Borders Council, has acknowledged a knife was involved in a distressing incident at Burnfoot Community School. Initially downplaying the situation, he later described the weapon as a "small kitchen knife." The incident prompted 22 retired teachers to write to Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, expressing concerns over rising violence in schools. Robertson stated that some signatories were pressured to join the letter. He called the situation "upsetting" and confirmed that all kitchen equipment is now secured.

 

The Scotsman