News and Responses

Civil justice statistics published

New figures show a total of 77,721 civil cases were initiated in Scotland in 2015-16 – a rise of one per cent on the previous year, but a decrease of 41 per cent since current statistics began in 2008-09.

Code must not restrict counsel, Faculty tells SLAB

A note of caution has been sounded by the Faculty about part of a code of practice drafted by the Scottish Legal Aid Board.

Criminal Code of Practice

Examining the new succession landscape

With a particular interest in “contentious succession” and a book in the pipeline, the Faculty’s Roddy MacLeod is a perfect speaker for a seminar looking at the law under the Succession (Scotland) Act 2016.

Scotland adopts -0.75% discount rate - Faculty statement

The discount rate for personal injury awards in Scotland has been lowered from 2.5 per cent to minus 0.75 per cent, reflecting the same change south of the Border which was announced last month by the Lord Chancellor.

ICAS post for Dame Elish

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) has appointed the former Lord Advocate, Dame Elish Angiolini, QC, to the chair of its discipline board.

Civil litigation under the spotlight

The third annual Civil Day Conference organised by the Scottish Young Lawyers’ Association will feature the Faculty’s Richard Pugh as one of the speakers.

Counsel is Scotland’s new Deputy Traffic Commissioner

The Faculty’s Hugh Olson has been appointed to the part-time post of Deputy Traffic Commissioner for Scotland.

Bill on third party rights “a positive development”

Proposed legislation on third party rights in contract is “a positive development”, the Faculty has told MSPs.

Artificial intelligence seminar

The Scottish Society for Computers and Law (SSCL) has lined up an expert speaker for a seminar on artificial intelligence.