A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
8th May 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
COSLA approves increase to historical abuse redress fund
Council leaders have approved a 50% increase to the local government contribution to the redress scheme for survivors of historical child abuse in council-run residential care facilities for children and young people. A spokesperson for COSLA has said the previously-agreed £100m sum to be contributed by councils will now increase to a cap of £150m. "As part of the agreement to an uplift", they added, "local government emphasised that there needed to be operational improvements to the scheme, in order to streamline the process and improve the survivor journey." The Mail notes that the payments will come from councils' Scottish Government funding, and are expected to continue until 2036.

 
TECHNOLOGY
Schools urged to remove pupil photos
Experts are urging UK schools to remove identifiable images of pupils from websites and social media due to a rising threat of blackmail. Criminals are using AI to manipulate these images into sexually explicit content, leading to extortion attempts. The Internet Watch Foundation reported a recent incident involving a secondary school where 150 manipulated images were classified as child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding, described this as a "deeply worrying emerging threat" and indicated that laws may be updated to address AI misuse. Schools are advised to adopt safer image practices and conduct regular audits.

 
PRISONS
One in 15 prison staff under suspicion
Official figures reveal that one in 15 uniformed prison staff in the UK are under investigation for serious misconduct, including drug smuggling, sexual relations with inmates, and accepting bribes. This marks a record number of front-line prison officers facing scrutiny, raising significant concerns about the integrity of the prison system.
FIRMS
Law firms shift focus to US growth
Law firms in the UK are increasingly focusing on the US market, leading to a rise in partner promotions across the Atlantic. According to City AM, Clifford Chance promoted 31 partners this year, with US numbers rising from 1 to 5, while London promotions fell from 12 to 9. Freshfields also saw a significant increase in US promotions, from 3 to 13. Nick Woolf, partner at Woolf&Co, noted: "US growth is being prioritised, and London promotions are becoming more selective." This shift reflects a strategic focus on US expansion rather than a lack of confidence in London.
Lindsays boosts property team with new hire
Philip Sim has joined Lindsays as a consultant in its commercial property team. Previously running his own practice, Sim brings extensive experience from firms like Ledingham Chalmers and Harper Macleod. He serves developers, investors, landlords, and occupiers. Sim stated: “Lindsays is the ideal fit for my clients and for me.” Derek Nash, partner and head of commercial property at Lindsays, noted that this appointment is part of a strategic growth plan to meet rising client demands in the commercial property sector.
WORKFORCE
Almost 6k teaching days lost to stress, anxiety and depression
Figures released by Moray Council following a Freedom of Information request have revealed that teachers missed a total of 5,938 working days in secondary schools last year due to depression, stress and anxiety, up from 4,527 in 2023 and 5,139 in 2024. While violence and poor behaviour has been identified as a key source of stress for teachers, the increase in lost working days comes alongside a drop in recorded incidents of violent and aggressive behaviour, from 554 in 2023/24 to 164 in 2024/25.
HSCP ignoring council vote, union claims
The GMB Scotland trade union has accused the West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) of attempting to "fire and rehire" carers, and of ignoring a West Dunbartonshire Council motion calling for more talks before the imposition of new home care rotas that the union has branded "unworkable". GMB organiser AnnMarie Carrigan said the "council's vote was decisive and councillors clearly wanted this disruptive redesign paused to allow constructive discussions", but that the HSCP "continues to steamroller through changes which will have a devastating impact on the lives of committed workers".
TAX
Harbour Energy triumphs in tax dispute
The High Court has ruled in favour of Harbour Energy, allowing it to acquire Waldorf Production UK for £125m. This deal enables Harbour to write off future tax bills by approximately £660m. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) opposed the acquisition, claiming it constituted abusive tax avoidance. However, Mr Justice Michael Green stated that the restructuring plan was beneficial for the Exchequer. He noted that the oil and gas sector often utilises tax loss transfers, which are not inherently abusive. A Harbour spokesperson expressed confidence in completing the transaction soon.
TRANSPORT
New service for road traffic victims
A Borders-based law firm, RTA Law LLP, has introduced a new service for drivers involved in road traffic collisions. Partner Thomas Mitchell stated that victims often lack options for pursuing compensation. He emphasised the need for a personalised approach, contrasting it with the impersonal methods used by insurers. The firm aims to enhance client care, especially given the risks on rural roads. Partner Zara Jones noted that solicitors have undergone training with the Institute of Advanced Motorists to better assist clients. She said: "Understanding vehicle dynamics on a deeper level was paramount for us."
MEDIA
Meta battles Ofcom over fees, fines
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is contesting Ofcom's fees and potential fines under the Online Safety Act in the High Court. The law, effective from July 2025, mandates tech firms to fund Ofcom's online safety operations based on their global revenue. Meta argues that Ofcom's calculations for fees and penalties are "disproportionate" and should reflect UK earnings rather than worldwide revenue. Ofcom plans to defend its position, asserting that its methods align with the law. The next hearing is scheduled for June.
ENERGY
Delays threaten Scotland's wind energy goals
Scotland's onshore wind projects, crucial for achieving 20GW by 2030, face significant delays due to planning hurdles and resource pressures. The average time for Section 36 applications is over two years, extending to four years with public local inquiries. The Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 aims to expedite decisions by allowing Reporters more flexibility. However, concerns remain about local authorities' capacity to handle increased applications. Lynsey Reid from Shepherd and Wedderburn noted: "Fast and robust decision-making is more important than ever" to meet Scotland's renewable energy ambitions.
MIGRATION
Migrant benefits claims risk fiscal crisis
Nearly 1.5m migrants claimed Universal Credit in the last year, making up 15.6% of all recipients. The figure, released by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) following a freedom of information request by the Centre for Migration Control, is around 200,000 above the 1.3m estimate made at the end of 2025. The Government plans to extend the waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to ten years, aiming to ensure migrants contribute before accessing benefits. Despite this, Britain's total welfare bill is forecast to hit £373bn before the end of the decade. Robert Bates, the research director at CMC, warns the situations risks descending into a "full-blown fiscal crisis."

 

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