A sharp slice of what matters in Scottish law

The Justice Secretary Angela Constance has said "nothing is off the table" in responding to disorder linked to celebrations by Celtic supporters in Glasgow following the club’s title win over Hearts. Thousands gathered in the Trongate area, with more than 900 police officers deployed and two officers seriously injured. Ms Constance said the Scottish Government, football authorities, clubs and councils must work together to prevent similar incidents, particularly in Glasgow. She praised Police Scotland for its response and warned that further arrests could follow as investigations continue into offences connected to the disorder. Separately, Professor Geoff Pearson from the University of Manchester has claimed Scotland’s long-standing ban on alcohol inside stadiums may contribute to disorder rather than prevent it. He argued restrictions encourage binge drinking before matches and can worsen crowd issues such as missile throwing and pitch invasions.

 

Glasgow Evening Times

The Herald

Daily Mail (Scot)

The Scotsman

 

An inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for Scotland at HMP Kilmarnock revealed significant issues, particularly overcrowding. The prison, which has 501 cells, was required to accommodate an additional 157 prisoners shortly after its transfer to the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) in 2024. This led to single cells being converted into double occupancy, violating international space standards. The report noted that while staff-inmate relationships were positive, concerns included inadequate access to information for non-English speakers and poor food quality. Inspectorate findings highlighted the need for improvements in various areas, including hygiene and accessibility.

 

The Herald

 

The assisted dying bill, proposed by Kim Leadbeater, faces significant challenges after its collapse in the House of Lords. Supporters have indicated they will not support bypassing the Lords if the bill is reintroduced in the Commons. With only a 23-vote majority, the bill's revival is precarious, especially as several MPs, including Sir Jeremy Hunt, have expressed opposition to using the Parliament Act to force it through. Hunt stated: "Bypassing the Lords would likely be challenged, so I would not be in favour of taking this action." The future of the legislation remains uncertain.

 

The Daily Telegraph

Police in Dumfries and Galloway have reminded the public about the legal requirements for Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles (EAPCs). To be legal, e-bikes must not exceed 15.5mph, have a motor under 250 watts, and require pedalling for assistance. Non-compliant e-bikes are classified as mopeds or motorcycles, necessitating a valid driving licence, insurance, and registration. Parents may also face charges for allowing minors to use illegal e-bikes.

 

DnG24

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has heard evidence from former residents of Fornethy House in Angus, a children’s home formerly run by Glasgow City Council. Witnesses described allegations including force-feeding, physical punishment and restrictions on contacting family members during stays at the residential facility in the 1960s. One survivor told the inquiry she was force-fed porridge, while others described being beaten after attempting to write letters home about conditions at the home. The evidence forms part of phase 10 of the inquiry, chaired by Lady Smith, which is examining historical abuse allegations across 20 institutions in Scotland.

 

The Herald

The Scotsman

Nearly 60% of finance sector employees are considering leaving their jobs due to mandatory office attendance, according to a report by Morgan McKinley. The survey of 471 workers revealed that 67% feel increased stress or burnout from these requirements. Seb O'Connell, chief executive of Org Group, said: "The return to office debate in the UK financial services sector has moved beyond simple attendance level." Major firms like JP Morgan and Lloyds Bank have faced backlash over their office policies, with employees pushing back against strict attendance mandates.

 

City AM

Aberdeen City Council is pursuing legal action against investment manager Federated Hermes over losses linked to the North East Scotland Pension Fund, which is shared with Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council. Around £33.8m was lost after investment in Swedish wind farm projects through the Ventus Portfolio. The council argues the investment was excessively risky and that proper due diligence was not carried out. Federated Hermes denies wrongdoing, saying the strategy reflected standard market practice and that losses were driven by exceptional events including the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine. The firm also argues the investment agreement limits liability except in cases of fraud, gross negligence or bad faith.

 

The Press and Journal

Paris Steele has raised £7,165 through the 2025 Will Aid campaign, helping almost 100 new clients prepare wills. The North Berwick firm has supported the initiative since 2006 and has now raised more than £25,000 for charity. The campaign encourages solicitors across the UK to provide simple wills in exchange for voluntary donations to partner charities including NSPCC, Shelter and British Red Cross. Paris Steele said the scheme helps raise awareness of the importance of having an up-to-date will while making legal support more accessible.

 

Edinburgh Evening News

John Swinney has been re-elected as Scotland’s first minister following a vote at Holyrood, securing 56 votes after three rounds of voting against opposition party leaders including Anas Sarwar and Russell Findlay. The SNP won 58 seats in the recent Scottish Parliament election, remaining the largest party but short of an overall majority. Mr Swinney said he would work "for all of Scotland" and focus on issues including the cost of living, the NHS and economic growth. He also reiterated his support for a second independence referendum and plans to seek backing for a Section 30 order. Mr Swinney will formally be sworn in at the Court of Session in Edinburgh before appointing a new cabinet later this week.

 

Sky News

Glasgow Evening Times

BBC News

The Herald

The Scotsman

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a £100m initiative to combat grooming gangs and reopen historic cases. The funding includes £38m for the National Crime Agency to enhance investigations. Mahmood said: "There will be no hiding place for the predatory monsters who committed unimaginable crimes." The independent inquiry into grooming gangs will examine the role of ethnicity and public service responses. Baroness Anne Longfield emphasised the need for transparency and accountability, stating: "Anyone who can actually help that process has a legal and moral duty to do so." The initiative aims to ensure justice for victims.

 

Daily Mirror

The UK unemployment rate increased to 5% in the three months to March 2026, up from 4.9%, according to the Office for National Statistics. Vacancies fell to a five-year low, indicating challenges for job seekers. Payrolled employees decreased by 20,000, with an estimated drop of 100,000 expected in the following quarter, while youth unemployment reached 16.2%, the highest level since January 2015. Bosses blamed Labour's decisions to put up the minimum wage and National Insurance contributions for forcing them to turn away from hiring young people. Liz McKeown, director of economic statistics, commented: "Latest figures suggest the labour market remains soft." Despite wage growth exceeding expectations at 4.1%, concerns about inflation and joblessness persist, with forecasts predicting a peak unemployment rate of around 5.3%.

 

The Daily Telegraph

City AM

The Guardian