A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

Plans by Police Scotland to reduce discretionary sick pay have prompted warnings from the Scottish Police Federation about potential impacts on officer wellbeing. General secretary David Kennedy said the changes, driven by budget pressures, could have serious financial and personal consequences, including risks to mental health. Chief constable Jo Farrell previously told MSPs that funding constraints required difficult decisions, after receiving less than the requested budget increase. Officers currently receive six months’ full sick pay followed by six months at half pay, but extensions are now more restricted, with some cases reportedly denied additional support.

 

Daily Mail (Scot)

The Press and Journal

The Scotsman

 

Three quarters of prison officers in Scotland have expressed serious concerns about health risks from toxic drug fumes. The Prison Officers Association (POA) reports that staff inhale harmful smoke from synthetic substances daily, often without protective gear. A survey found that 75% of officers worry about the impact of drug exposure on their health. Union leaders demand protective equipment and further research into the long-term effects of contaminated air.

 

Daily Mail

Leading Scottish Green candidates, including Kate Nevens, have called for the total abolition of prisons, conflicting with party leadership's stance. Nevens, an incoming MSP, emphasises promoting social integration for offenders rather than incarceration, branding herself a prison "abolitionist." Critics from other parties view this position as reckless, arguing it undermines public safety. Despite Nevens' significant public support, party co-leaders Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay seek to maintain a balanced approach to justice, asserting that prisons should only be a last resort for violent criminals.

 

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.

 

Police Scotland has launched a campaign in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde to address the consequences of violence. The initiative, running throughout April, aims to educate young people, parents, and teachers about available support and resources. In partnership with Fearless and No Knives, Better Lives (NKBL), activities include awareness events at local football matches and distribution of educational materials. Inspector Laura Magill emphasised the campaign's goal: "This campaign is about raising awareness, encouraging conversations and making sure young people know where they can turn for help."

 

Glasgow Evening Times

Jemma Forrest, a director at Anderson Strathern, warns that employers must address endometriosis to avoid legal and reputational risks. With one in 10 women affected, the condition often goes unrecognised in workplaces. New legislation, including Equality Action Plans for businesses with over 250 employees, will require organisations to support employees with health conditions like endometriosis. Currently, 54% of people are unaware of the condition, which can severely impact work. Employers should proactively implement flexible policies and training to foster a supportive environment, as failing to do so could lead to significant consequences.

 

Herald Scotland

Harper Macleod has become the first law firm to receive the Highland Employer Charter Gold accreditation from Highland Council, recognising high-quality employment practices. The award reflects commitments including paying the Real Living Wage, supporting workforce development, and investing in staff training. The assessment also highlighted the firm’s contribution to the Inverness economy through local procurement and long-term skills development. More than 100 people have progressed through its apprenticeship programme, with many advancing into senior roles, underlining its role in regional employment and economic growth.

 

The Inverness Courier

Anderson Strathern has promoted four lawyers to director and partner levels across its Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Orkney offices. The firm, which has around 60 partners and 193 fee earners, aims to meet increasing demand in rural and estates, private client, and commercial property sectors. Ellen Eunson, with 25 years of experience, joins as a partner in the rural land and business team. Nick Dobbs becomes a director in private client, while Rory Knox and Conor Whittaker are promoted to directors in commercial real estate.

 

The Scotsman

John Swinney, the First Minister and the SNP leader, stated he has "no information about the substance" of claims regarding Peter Murrell's knowledge of allegations against Jordan Linden. Former Scottish Youth Parliament member Amy Lee Fraioli alleged that Murrell was informed in 2016 about an investigation into Linden, who was later convicted of multiple sexual offences. Swinney emphasised the SNP's commitment to reviewing its complaints handling process, remarking: "Whenever somebody has a complaint or a concern... it should be acted upon properly." He has previously apologised to Linden's victims and announced an independent review of the SNP's procedures.

 

thenational.scot

BBC News

Herald Scotland

Judges in immigration tribunals are now using AI tools, including a version of Microsoft's Copilot, to assist in preparing for hearings and drafting decisions. This initiative aims to address a backlog of 140,000 cases. David Lammy, the Justice Secretary, has revealed that some judges are already using AI for case outlines and summaries. However, experts caution that AI's reliability is questionable and should be monitored, with Lawrence Akka KC emphasising the need for transparency and evaluation of AI tools in the legal system. HM Courts and Tribunal Service, which is believed to be developing a tool that will identify which areas of the law are relevant to a specific case and upload it to the decision template, has said that AI tools are focused on transcribing decisions dictated by judges and do not contribute to the analysis or balancing of evidence or arguments presented. Sir Geoffrey Vos, the Master of the Rolls, recently suggested that litigants may prefer technology to deliver justice in the future as it is likely to be "far quicker and cheaper than waiting for human judges."

 

The Observer

The Home Office plans to deploy facial recognition drones in the Channel to combat people-smuggling. Border Force is testing military-grade cameras capable of identifying individuals from half a mile away. Smugglers often change their appearance to evade capture, making prosecution difficult, with just 20% prosecuted and many avoiding punishment due to a lack of evidence. It is noted that the technology requires further trials to address legal and ethical concerns. In the past year, 472 smugglers were prosecuted over offences linked to illegal entry into the UK.

 

The Times

Inspectors should be empowered to shut down salmon farms experiencing unacceptable mortality rates, according to Scotland's rural affairs committee. The committee criticised the Scottish Government for inadequate progress in improving welfare standards, emphasising that the industry's future hinges on urgent reforms. Nearly 36m fish deaths were reported over three years, raising public concern. The committee insists on mandatory reporting of fish deaths and effective regulation of high-mortality sites. Animal welfare advocates highlighted alarming figures, including cancer-causing formaldehyde pollution. While the industry body Salmon Scotland defended its practices, the committee stressed the need for sustainable regulation to ensure the sector's viability. The Government maintains its commitment to animal welfare and food sector growth.

 

The Times

The Scottish Greens have announced plans to cancel the Scottish Government's exclusivity agreement with Flamingo Land regarding the Loch Lomond site. This follows Flamingo Land's court challenge against the government's rejection of their controversial development plans, which included hotels and a waterpark. Ross Greer, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, explained: "This saga has gone on for so long because of a sweetheart deal given to them by the Scottish Government." He emphasised the need to end the agreement and allow the community to propose their own plans for the site.

 

Dumbartonreporter

According to a recent survey by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), 35% of parents believe their children would share personal information online in exchange for game tokens or rewards. The survey, which quizzed 1,000 UK parents of children aged four to 11, revealed that 22% of children have shared sensitive information with AI tools and 24% have shared their real name or address online. The ICO is urging parents to discuss online privacy as a vital life skill, similar to teaching road safety.

 

The Standard

Reform UK says it would ban visas for countries demanding reparations for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade. Zia Yusuf, Reform's home affairs spokesman, said that the UK has already made significant sacrifices to end slavery and called the demands "insulting." A University of West Indies report claims the UK owes over £18trn in reparations to 14 Caribbean nations. Eleven Caribbean countries, along with several African nations, have made reparations claims. Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the Government will not pay these reparations.

 

Daily Mail

The Daily Telegraph

The Times

Research indicates that the rise in weight-loss treatments, particularly gastric bands, may lead to increased divorce rates in Britain. A study involving 12,531 married patients revealed that 14.4% separated within six years, compared to 8.2% in the general population. Prof Per-Arne Svensson from the University of Gothenburg noted that lifestyle changes associated with weight loss can create tension if partners do not adapt together.

 

Daily Star

The Sun