A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
6th May 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Scottish Ambulance Service flags risk of handover delays
The Scottish Ambulance Service has published its latest corporate risk register - with hospital delays identified as a "very high" risk to public safety, both due to patients in ambulances being put at risk by handover delays, and due to the impact of ambulances "stacking at local hospitals" on response times. The service has highlighted official data showing that just over a third of ambulance handovers took more than an hour to complete at hospitals in 2025, compared to under 1% pre-pandemic, while the median turnaround time was 49 minutes.

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THE LAW
Teachers call for allergy training and funding
The NASUWT teaching union has called for investment in "life and death" allergy management training in Scotland's schools, and for Scotland to follow England's lead by introducing legislation requiring schools to have adrenaline pens available to deal with severe allergic reactions, along with staff to be trained to deal with allergies. NASUWT general secretary Matt Wrack said the union has "welcomed the introduction of Benedict's Law in England and we believe children north of the border deserve the same protection", adding: "Allergy management measures must be accompanied with additional funding to resource the stocking of adrenaline pens and training for all staff on allergy management."
Calls grow for new football safety laws in Scotland
New legislation in England and Wales, the Unauthorised Entry to Football Matches Act 2026, has made "tailgating" and forced stadium entry a criminal offence, with penalties including fines and banning orders. The law followed safety concerns after crowd disorder at the UEFA Euro 2020 Final. Campaigners and officials are now urging similar measures in Scotland, where incidents have raised concerns about fan safety. Proposals include strengthening existing laws and expanding banning powers. Supporters argue clearer legal deterrents could improve stadium safety, particularly ahead of major events such as UEFA Euro 2028.

 
PRISONS
Crumbling prison walls hinder anti-drone efforts
Weak walls in Victorian prisons are obstructing efforts to prevent drones from delivering contraband. Plans to install anti-drone netting at HMP Pentonville were halted due to the softness of the bricks. Charlie Taylor, chief inspector of prisons, warned that the Prison Service has "ceded the airspace" to organised crime, creating a national security threat. Drone incidents surged over 1,000% in four years, with packages weighing over 15kg being delivered. Tom Wheatley, president of the Prison Governors' Association, expressed concerns about the structural integrity of prisons in implementing these measures.
CASES
Police actions under scrutiny in Forbes case
A sheriff has determined that the investigation into the death of Jamie Forbes will concentrate on police actions, dismissing a request to examine the window from which he fell. Forbes, 37, died after falling from a 12th-floor flat in Elphinstone Court, Aberdeen, where he was held captive and tortured by Lee Smith. A report by the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner highlighted missed opportunities by officers to rescue Forbes. Sheriff Principal Andrew Miller stated that the inquiry must focus on the circumstances of Forbes' death, not the window's safety.
Former council leader to be sentenced over sex assaults
Former North Lanarkshire Council leader Jordan Linden is set to be sentenced at Falkirk Sheriff Court today following his conviction on 10 separate counts, including five sexual assaults on young men and teenagers dating to between 2011 and 2021. Mr Linden's sentencing was delayed from yesterday after his lawyer was held up at another trial.
Judge demands trial for Donaldson
Judge Paul Ramsey expressed his strong expectation that the trial of former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will proceed on May 26. The trial has faced delays due to medical issues concerning his wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson. A review hearing revealed that two medical assessments are pending, which could impact the trial's progress. Donaldson, 63, has pleaded not guilty to 18 charges, including one count of rape, while Lady Donaldson, 60, faces charges of aiding and abetting. A further review hearing is scheduled for May 19 to assess the situation.
FIRMS
Pinsent Masons boosts team with new partner
Stuart Murdoch has been appointed as a Partner at Pinsent Masons in Edinburgh, enhancing the firm's financial services litigation team. Previously at DLA Piper, he specialised in international financial services disputes and ESG work. Murdoch's expertise spans regulatory and litigation matters across over 40 jurisdictions. Joanne Gillies, Partner at Pinsent Masons, stated: "Stuart's arrival is a strategic addition to our financial services litigation practice." Murdoch expressed enthusiasm for joining a firm known for its strong reputation in complex disputes. His appointment follows the recent hiring of Patrick Fulton and Jessica Wicker.
CRIME
Retailers demand tougher laws on shoplifters
Retailers are calling for stricter enforcement of laws against shoplifting and abuse of staff. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), stated that crime has become a daily concern for retail workers, with 1,600 incidents of violence reported daily. The new police and crime bill, which removes the £200 threshold for low-level theft, aims to encourage police action. Dickinson noted: "No one should go to work fearing for their safety," stressing the need for visible policing to ensure the safety of retail staff. Meanwhile, Asda is testing a new ticket-based system and vending machines for high-theft items such as razor blades, vapes and cigarettes to combat rising shoplifting. Customers select products via a touchscreen, pay at a checkout, then use a second ticket to collect items.
PLANNING
Moray Council faces court date for school land use
Moray Council will face the Court of Session on May 11 to seek permission for using a 12-metre strip of Roysvale Park for a bus drop-off lane during the construction of the new Forres Academy. The council's application has faced public objections, with concerns about losing the park as a helicopter landing site for emergencies. However, the council stated that the proposed use would not compromise this function.
ELECTIONS
Apology issued over election ID error
South Ayrshire Council has issued a public apology after incorrect information was included with poll cards advising voters that they would need to bring photo ID to their polling station to vote in Thursday's Holyrood elections. A spokesperson said that "due to an error by a third party printer, envelopes containing poll cards have incorrect information on them". "The poll cards issued are correct", they added, "and are in relation to the Scottish Parliamentary Election on Thursday 7 May 2026. Contrary to what is printed on the envelopes containing the poll card, photographic ID will not be required to vote. We apologise for any confusion."
INTERNATIONAL
Meta faces lawsuit over copyright claims
Five major publishers, including Elsevier and Hachette, have filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms in Manhattan federal court. They allege that Meta unlawfully used millions of their works, including textbooks and novels, to train its Llama AI models. Maria Pallante, president of the Association of American Publishers, said: "Meta's mass-scale infringement isn't public progress." Meta has denied wrongdoing, claiming that training AI on copyrighted material can qualify as fair use. The lawsuit highlights ongoing copyright disputes between creators and tech companies regarding AI training practices.
Musk settles SEC lawsuit for $1.5m
Elon Musk has settled a long-standing legal dispute with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for $1.5m (£1.2m). The SEC accused Musk of failing to disclose his significant stake in Twitter on time during his $44bn acquisition in 2022. Although Musk's trust will pay the penalty without admitting wrongdoing, it marks the largest civil penalty in SEC history for such violations. Alex Spiro, Musk's lawyer, stated: "Mr Musk has now been cleared of all issues related to the late filing of forms in the Twitter acquisition."
AWARDS
Arts group launches design call for Fringe awards
Summerhall Arts is inviting Scottish artists to design this year’s Bragi Awards for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, offering a £2,000 commission. The selected designer will create 12 award pieces recognising performance and visual arts. The initiative is supported by Shepherd and Wedderburn, which highlighted its commitment to backing local artists and Edinburgh’s cultural scene.

 

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