Scotland

Possession of class A drugs such as heroin, cocaine and MDMA may incur a police warning rather than prosecution under a new "diversion from prosecution" policy for drugs announced by Scotland's Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain QC. In a statement, Ms Bain said: "I have decided that an extension of the rec

Draft legislation to provide for a fresh referendum on Scottish independence has been published by the Scottish government ahead of the May elections. Ministers say it will be up to the government formed after the elections to consider whether to formally introduce its proposed Scottish Independence

A legal case arguing that the Scottish Parliament should be able to pass a law to hold an independence referendum without the consent of the UK government has failed in the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Declarator to this effect was sought by Martin James Keatings. He also argued that no amendment

Scotland is becoming a state in which the population is forced to conform to the vision and values of the ruling elite, a new book argues. In The Justice Factory: Can the Rule of Law Survive in 21st Century Scotland?, author Ian Mitchell suggests that the country is on the road to becoming an author

The first criminal jury trials in Scotland since the start of the COVID-19 crisis have been hailed as successes. Trials have successfully taken place at the High Court in Edinburgh and in Glasgow, using multiple courtrooms in order to adhere to physical distancing guidelines, our sister publication

Scottish lawyers who visited Ireland to learn about the conduct of sexual offence trials here have called for complainants in Scotland to be given their own legal representation when applications are made to lead evidence of bad character or sexual history. Solicitors Eamon Keane and Tony Conve

The Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Scotland’s professional body for advocates, the equivalent of barristers, has announced he will resign later this year following complaints. Gordon Jackson QC had referred himself to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) following the publication

Former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond's lawyer, Gordon Jackson QC, has referred himself to the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) following the publication of footage in which he made comments about Salmond's trial. Mr Salmond was vindicated last week of various sexual offence charges

Drugs prosecutions in Scotland have plummeted following a change in policy. Figures show that cases have halved in four years, with prosecutors applying what they say is "smart", not "soft touch" justice, our sister publication Scottish Legal News reports.