Author Archives: Iain Nisbet

In the same week as the European Court of Human Rights decided that the retention of DNA data by police forces in England & Wales was unlawful (Scotland already had legal limits on DNA retention) comes the disturbing news that … Continue reading →

The Scottish Government’s recent consultation paper “The Modern Scottish Jury in Criminal Trials” has raised an interesting dilemma for Kelvin Holdsworth, the Provost of St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Glasgow. He asks (as does the consultation) “whether or not you … Continue reading →

Lauren Fowler, a partner in Ayrshire law firm Frazer Coogans Solicitors, has been accredited in both Child Law and Family Law by the Law Society of Scotland. Lauren is the only solicitor in Ayrshire to be accredited in both fields.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice has re-appointed existing Board members Sheriff Kenneth Ross, Elaine Rosie and Susan McPhee to the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB). Their first terms of appointment ended on March 31, 2008.

Petition by Bill Alexander calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to reform the legal system to adopt the Scandinavian system of allowing unrestricted access to legal representation before the court for example by allowing non-lawyers to … Continue reading →

Campaign groups have expressed concern over the “limitations” of new legislation which aims to strengthen the law on rape. The groups, including Rape Crisis Scotland, Scottish Women’s Aid and Victim Support Scotland, presented their worries about the Sexual Offences (Scotland) … Continue reading →

“You are to know, says he, that the Judges do not sit in court to do Business above three Hours in the day, that is from Eight in the Morning to Eleven. After they have taken some Refreshment, the Method … Continue reading →

The Welsh Rugby Union claimed a major legal victory on Friday in the ongoing dispute with the country’s professional clubs over player release for international games. The four professional regional teams – Cardiff Blues, Ospreys, Newport Gwent Dragons and Scarlets … Continue reading →