A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law
Scottish Edition
12th May 2026
 
THE HOT STORY
Renfrewshire Council faces equal pay backlash
GMB Scotland has accused Renfrewshire Council of using costly legal action to delay resolving nearly 200 equal pay claims lodged on behalf of women employed by the local authority and leisure trust OneRen. The union said evidence suggested male-dominated services had received better terms and conditions than women working in areas such as care and schools, and urged the council to pursue negotiated settlements rather than employment tribunals. Renfrewshire Council said it recognised the importance of equal pay and had a strong record on addressing pay inequality, but expressed disappointment that the claims had been lodged without prior detailed discussions that could have supported "meaningful engagement or potential resolution."

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CASES
Former council leader appeals sentence for sexual offence convictions
Former SNP council leader Jordan Linden is seeking to appeal both his conviction and 18-month prison sentence after being found guilty of a series of offences, including sexual assaults, stalking and unwanted sexual communication involving young men and boys over a decade. The Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service confirmed that an intention to appeal had been lodged, with a full note of appeal due by 2 July. Linden, who resigned as leader of North Lanarkshire Council in 2022 after the allegations emerged, was also placed on the sex offenders’ register, while the case has prompted SNP leader John Swinney to order an independent review of the party’s complaints procedures.
UK sanctions nine linked to Iran
The British government has imposed sanctions on nine individuals and three organisations linked to Iran, citing threats to UK and global security. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said that these measures aim to counter the Islamic Republic's use of gangs for overseas threats and illicit financing. The UK has sanctioned 550 Iranians and organisations, accusing them of plotting attacks on British soil. The Zindashti Network, linked to armed groups, and the Zarringhalam family, involved in laundering funds, were specifically targeted.
Green MSP accused of breaching anonymity order over Soldier F post
A Scottish Green MSP, Iris Duane, faces accusations of breaching a court anonymity order by reposting a tweet that identified Soldier F, a former British paratrooper acquitted in the Bloody Sunday murder trial. Although Duane deleted her tweets from before December last year, a public screenshot from October 24, 2025, shows she questioned why Soldier F could not be named. Despite warnings, she claimed she was in Ireland and not under UK jurisdiction. Critics argue that her actions endangered Soldier F and his family, highlighting her apparent intention to expose him despite his acquittal.
Housing developer takes legal action over Facebook post
An Ayrshire housing developer has launched legal action against Coylton Community Council over allegations made in a now-deleted social media post about a proposed 10-home development in Coylton. The dispute comes ahead of a South Ayrshire Council planning decision next month, with the community council and local residents raising objections over flooding, drainage and transparency concerns, all of which the developer strongly denies.

 
CORPORATE
Rathi: Boards should fight corporate raiders in court
Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority, has told corporate leaders that "it is up to the boards to command the confidence of their shareholders and win votes if they wish to carry through their resolutions," saying that this is "the foundation of company law in the UK." Defending the City watchdog amid claims that it failed to protect British investment trusts targeted by Saba Capital, Mr Rathi said: "If boards think that something is vexatious, they should test their rights in court."
OpenAI sued over shooting
The widow of Tiru Chabba - a man who was killed in a mass shooting at Florida State University - is suing OpenAI. Vandana Joshi claims the ChatGPT chatbot contributed to the tragedy by advising the shooter, Phoenix Ikner, on optimal attack strategies. An OpenAI spokesperson said that ChatGPT provided factual information available online and did not promote illegal activity.
PLANNING
Scottish Borders Council challenges wind farm approval
Scottish Borders Council is pursuing a judicial review of the Scottish government's approval for a wind farm at Ditcher Law. The energy consents unit (ECU) granted permission for eight turbines, despite the council's objections regarding local impact. The council argues that the ECU failed to assess the development's connection to the electricity grid. David Robertson, chief executive of Scottish Borders Council, said: "The decision to seek a judicial review regarding approval of this development has not been taken lightly." The council plans to update its members on 21 May.
ECONOMY
Scottish business leaders demand growth focus
Business groups in Scotland are urging the new government to prioritise economic growth. Gail Boag, chief executive of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, said: "The immediate priority must be to set out a clear, coherent long-term economic direction that restores confidence and unlocks the investment Scotland needs," adding that "delivering sustainable, viable growth will depend on decisive action to strengthen the country's economic foundations, boost productivity and improve outcomes for people and communities." She went on to stress "the importance of stable and predictable economic and tax policy."

 

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