Category Archives: Scottish Government

Strictly Come Legislating

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Iain Nisbet

New laws giving Scotland’s police and prosecutors the additional tools they have asked for to extract ‘poisonous comments of hatred’ from Scottish ballroom and threats of harm being posted on the internet have been passed by the Scottish Parliament today. … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Law, Just for Fun, Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Supreme Court rejects AXA appeal

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Iain Nisbet

The Supreme Court has handed down its judgement in the case of AXA Insurance v. Lord Advocate, in which insurance giants and bad losers AXA sought to strike down the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009 on the basis that … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, News, Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament, Supreme Court | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

You are the (Sher)Ref

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Iain Nisbet

So, I was reading through the draft Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill, which seems to be really broad in its attempts to crack down on sectarianism.  I tried to think back to my legislation honours classes … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Law, Scottish Government, Scottish Parliament | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Tarbolton crooner sparks constitutional row

Posted on June 4, 2011 by Iain Nisbet

Jai MacDowall (24) a singer from the village of Tarbolton in Scotland, won Britain’s Got Talent on Saturday night, sparking a constitutional crisis as he did so. The First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, has warned the UK-wide talent show … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Law, Just for Fun, Scottish Government | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Council rebuked for failings in parental involvement

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Iain Nisbet

One of my cases was featured in The Herald today, under the heading “Council failed parents over headteacher appointments.”  The article sets out the Scottish Government‘s formal response to complaints by parent councils in Glasgow about a failure by the … Continue reading →

Posted in Education Law, Employment Law, Glasgow, Law Centres, Legal Aid, News, Scottish Government | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Please state your destination …

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Iain Nisbet

The latest newsletter from the Scottish branch of NO2ID carries an article titled “Scotland’s Back-Door ID Card Battle”, which notes that the SNP were vigorous opponents of ID cards in opposition. However, it goes on to suggest that the various … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Politics, Privacy, Scottish Government | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Hot air weaponry

Posted on December 10, 2010 by Iain Nisbet

More marginalia from the Scotland Bill.  Section 11 would give the Scottish Parliament legislative competence in relation to air weapons.  Specifically, it would give Ministers the power to require a licence to use an airgun or even to prohibit them … Continue reading →

Posted in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, News, Scottish Government | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

As much as possible

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Iain Nisbet

During the last Holyrood elections, my colleague and I paid a visit to a candidate, who is now in a position of some responsibility and influence.  We asked the candidate what his/her position was on law centres.  The answer was: … Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Law, Law Centres, Legal Aid, News, Scottish Court Service, Scottish Government | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Let us learn from the lips of death …

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Iain Nisbet

  A brief note to let you know that my latest yell.com post is online.  Bearing the title “Do not speak ill of the dead.” it reports on a forthcoming Scottish Government consultation which will discuss whether the law of … Continue reading →

Posted in Defamation, News, Scottish Government, Yell.com Solicitors Blog | Leave a comment

Flying the flag for Scotland

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Iain Nisbet

The Royal Banner of the Royal Arms of Scotland may be known to you and me as “The Lion Rampant” but it has been the banner of the Kings of Scotland for centuries. Continue reading →

Posted in Criminal Law, From the Archives, Scottish Government | Tagged , | 5 Comments