21 Jan 12

Put it to the panel

How should the profession respond to the current moves by mortgage lenders?


11 Jan 12

Referendum: clearing the fog

Westminster should show it has charge, without calling all the shots


31 Dec 11

Practising what we preach

My wish for 2012: that solicitors practise greater mutual respect in line with the profession's core values


11 Dec 11

Respect agenda

SHRC recognises sensitivities of same-sex marriage debate


4 Dec 11

Boardroom pay battle

Public interest requires facing up to the challenge to find a control


18 Nov 11

Knocking out a pillar

Can we challenge the Carloway approach?


11 Nov 11

Doing good for pro bono

Time to get back to the real message


30 Oct 11

To jail or not to jail?

Arguments about effective sentencing come round again


21 Oct 11

Reality of Death Row

Amicus event exposes inadequacies of capital cases


17 Oct 11

What’s in it for you?

Journal editorial, October 2011


16 Oct 11

Power lines

Supreme Court defines the respective limits of authority


9 Oct 11

Sectarianism bill

Justice Committee performing role?


30 Sep 11

The illusion of speed

Minister's "legal" reason for raising the limit is dangerous


24 Sep 11

Peace reigns

But member engagement at SGM low as a result


19 Sep 11

Leaner and fitter (2)

Journal editorial, September 2011


16 Sep 11

Appealing approach

Are we too suspicious of the McCluskey "certification" proposal?


9 Sep 11

Leaner and fitter

New look magazine set to make an impact


27 Aug 11

Living on the digital economy

Society's IP debate highlights attitude problem to rights protection


19 Aug 11

Go to jail

Riot cases highlight the problems in "cracking down"


5 Aug 11

Red letter day for legal aid

Government concession shows strength of united profession


25 Jul 11

A two tier PCC?

Can a single body do all that is required?


8 Jul 11

The corruption of power

The real problem with the News of the World is that it managed to stay above the law for so long


3 Jul 11

Food for further thought

McCluskey interim report useful, but more work to be done


23 Jun 11

Seen to be doing something

A constructive way forward for the anti-sectarianism bill?


16 Jun 11

Salmond brings unity

Rare joint statement by President and Dean shows importance of issue


10 Jun 11

Independence vote: one is enough

Second poll would have high risk of indecisive outcome


2 Jun 11

Judges and politicians

Scottish ministers have surely overstepped the mark this time


27 May 11

What sort of legal independence?

Criminal cases and the Supreme Court


20 May 11

The challenge of open government

Law officer appointments are not the real test of accountability


13 May 11

Defining privacy

Article 8 or Article 10: that is the question


6 May 11

Shock of the new

One election result that is going to make life a whole lot more interesting, not least for legal observers


29 Apr 11

Something worth voting for

The Holyrood election hasn't caught fire, but the AV poll is crucial


22 Apr 11

The price of rights

Do individuals' remedies have to be put on hold pending court challenges to legislation?


14 Apr 11

Messages for an audience

Panelists at Society's hustings manage to connect with reality (most of the time)


7 Apr 11

In search of a constitution

What does counsel's opinion mean for the talks in progress?


3 Apr 11

Southern perspective

Hope lecture sheds light on working of Supreme Court


25 Mar 11

Not quite square one

Outcome of constitution debate suggests room to move forward


18 Mar 11

Glasgow v The Rest?

What might the GBA achieve with different representative bodies?


10 Mar 11

Handbags at dawn

Row over phone call shouldn't disrupt the serious business of fair legal aid shares


3 Mar 11

Levels of debate

Here's hoping that discussion of the proposed constitution will be less bitter than some recent arguments


24 Feb 11

Safeguarding the constitution

Do we need a constitution watchdog to protect us from Government whims?


17 Feb 11

Employment survey: answers and questions

Journal's first exercise throws up some interesting figures, but conclusions are more difficult


10 Feb 11

The judges over our shoulders

Do we need to limit the field of review by the Supreme Court over acts in name of the Lord Advocate?


4 Feb 11

Getting value from payback

The new community-based disposals have the potential to make a difference, if properly devised and supported


27 Jan 11

Up with the tweeters

The courts' challenge in keeping pace with digital information


21 Jan 11

Manifesto hits the headlines

Much support for better education in the law, but how to achieve it?


14 Jan 11

Child maintenance: here we go again?

New consultation begs the question of how much of a system we need


7 Jan 11

Hold tight for 2011

Looks like a bumpy ride, but hopefully not all bad


24 Dec 10

When the going gets tough

Keeping going in this month's weather sort of sums up the year


17 Dec 10

Supreme Court proves its worth

Another human rights decision shows the court's ability to see the bigger picture


10 Dec 10

Rights: the new frontier

Can we release the "untapped potential" of the Convention?


3 Dec 10

Assisted death for Margo's bill

Debate raises questions of whether law can be made to work


26 Nov 10

Council confidential

Outcomes from the leak saga


19 Nov 10

Hard questions

Various topics this week call for a careful look before decisions are made


12 Nov 10

Trampled by the black horse

Are the Lloyds conveyancing panel cuts really in anyone's best interests, even theirs?


5 Nov 10

Rights, but not as we know them

Committee on Patient Rights Bill raises questions as to the purpose of legislation


27 Oct 10

Undermined, or strengthened?

Is Scots law losing out because of the devolution settlement?


22 Oct 10

The half-baked doughnuts saga

The real questions for discussion over the Access to Justice Committee's SLAB plan?


15 Oct 10

The joke's over

Time to bring a dose of realism to health and safety issues


8 Oct 10

The bill in retrospect

Don't lose sight of the bigger picture


1 Oct 10

Home reports: questions remain

There seems to be more to the initial evaluation than the Government press release suggests


23 Sep 10

Standing up for democracy

A defence to some recent accusations


10 Sep 10

Time to address E&T funding

Pressures to contribute will grow


3 Sep 10

Opening up justice

Committee's ambitious plans deserve support


26 Aug 10

Cold comfort

Telephone cold calls are the latest business practice to come under the spotlight. Should we ban them?


20 Aug 10

The way the money goes

How far can Government pursue intelligent savings, rather than just cuts and more cuts?


5 Aug 10

ARTL: taking a stand

Are solicitors justified in resisting the pressure to automate?


1 Aug 10

Let the members have their say

Constitution changes need to protect rights


22 Jul 10

The great constitution turnoff?

Even recent events have not prompted many responses to the consultation


8 Jul 10

A stitch in time

Could earlier discussions on police interviews not have saved a lot of hassle?


2 Jul 10

What did you do in the hols? - We talked

Lengthy agenda for Society and Government before bill finalised


25 Jun 10

Useful exchanges at judicial appointments seminar

Interested audience - but gender balance as before


17 Jun 10

Committee keeping us guessing

Justice Committee sitting this week leaves key issues unresolved


10 Jun 10

MSPs going for wider view

First stage 2 debate suggests bill will be permissive


4 Jun 10

Pro bono needs a conversion of hearts

Proposal for compulsion likely to be counterproductive


28 May 10

Cards on the table

Time to put the ball in the Parliament's court


20 May 10

High noon in Grosvenor Street

Views are polarising again ahead of the AGM


13 May 10

Practising the new politics

Government is about getting your hands dirty


9 May 10

Exercising choice

What does the "no" lobby in the referendum seek to achieve?


29 Apr 10

Proceed with caution

Final shape of Legal Services Bill still up for negotiation


22 Apr 10

No choice but to keep trying

SGM vote only shows need to keep searching for solution


15 Apr 10

Ah, the artist in us

"Is law a creative profession?" posts make good reading


8 Apr 10

It's good to talk

Result means only way forward on ABS is to find common ground


2 Apr 10

Hopes and fears on ABS

Is it taking the plunge or jumping off a cliff?


25 Mar 10

All quiet on the western front?

SGM adjourns for talks: could we see consensus yet?


19 Mar 10

Decision time approaches

Journal Online's referendum page will be forum for all sides


11 Mar 10

Independence in context

Some questions to consider in relation to section 92 of the Legal Services (Scotland) Bill


4 Mar 10

Time to keep feet on the ground

Debate on professional independence has to be based on actuality


25 Feb 10

Justice wanting

Is there a role for a JUSTICE-type organisation in Scotland?


15 Feb 10

Fighting their corner

Is the Faculty of Advocates missing the point in its response to the Thomson review?


11 Feb 10

Rule of law wins in the end

Public interest trumps government relations in Mohamed case


5 Feb 10

Celebrating five years' FoI

Well attended Parliament event marks information revolution


28 Jan 10

Waking up to ABS

Journal only trying to carry the debate, as always, despite SLAS comments


22 Jan 10

Digging the heels in

Is the Faculty's response to Gill just a predictable rearguard action?


15 Jan 10

Goodwill rules in FoI review

Commissioner's round table reveals differences of emphasis, but commitment to principle


8 Jan 10

Equal chances

Don't be misled by the judicial appointments figures


2 Jan 10

Looking for better things

2010 will be a long haul, but let's have a proper debate over how to improve


24 Dec 09

A darker shade of white

Fond memories of the past don't mean we can recreate them today


17 Dec 09

Committee starts from first principles

Stage 1 hearings on Legal Services Bill taking nothing for granted


9 Dec 09

Two into one can't go?

Can the Society continue with its dual role?


3 Dec 09

Still as controversial

One year on, home reports have still to sell themselves to most Scottish solicitors


26 Nov 09

What price health?

Will we ever know if setting a minimum price for alcohol would be legal?


19 Nov 09

Abolishing sin

What is the point of legislation to impose aspirations and targets on government?


12 Nov 09

Flavour of the month

Everyone seems to be talking pro bono, and we should welcome that


6 Nov 09

The politics of advice

Advice should be public, and advisers should be given some leeway, on matters of public interest


30 Oct 09

Raising the level of the playing field

Legal Services Bill could mean extra rules for all


23 Oct 09

Any fears over free speech?

BNP appearance on "Question Time" is no threat to public order


15 Oct 09

Confidence in our judges

Judicial Appointments Board report shows the challenge of squaring the circle


9 Oct 09

Hedging its bets

Government prolonging the wait for action on high hedges


1 Oct 09

Squaring the circle

Civil courts review is bold attempt to bring improvements


24 Sep 09

Dying for some guidance

Why should Scotland not have guidelines on assisted suicide too?


17 Sep 09

Fatal errors

First jail term for careless driving causing death suggests law being applied sensibly


10 Sep 09

Rights above board

Human rights issues deserve a properly informed debate


4 Sep 09

Another round

How do we make the new licensng laws work if no one knows what they are?


28 Aug 09

Bonuses within bounds

Regulation is likely to be more workable than taxation


20 Aug 09

Compassion with dignity

Justice Secretary gives good account of himself with Lockerbie decision


14 Aug 09

Megrahi: decision time

Abandoning of appeal opens way for system to show a humane face


7 Aug 09

Giving up the paper round

Research into lawyers' means of communication should throw up some interesting findings


31 Jul 09

Assisting assisted suicide

The Purdy appeal decision may help bring reform, but does not require legal change


23 Jul 09

Access advantage?

Recession pressures could make it more likely that those with the right connections win through


3 Jul 09

The Parliament: a real difference

In its first 10 years, the Scottish Parliament has made a huge impact on Scots law


26 Jun 09

Climate change: kicking and screaming

Irrespective of global warming, are the measures in the Climate Change Bill not desirable in themselves?


16 Jun 09

Devolution: into the next decade

Calman report is material for serous debate


12 Jun 09

The purpose of prison

Retiring Chief Inspector's report contains some home truths


5 Jun 09

Tackle prejudice in all its forms

We need to dispel the confusion that two-tier justice is being created by "hate crime" laws


29 May 09

Transparency at work

Society wins the budget vote, but has to promise clearer figures


26 May 09

Heads and hearts

We all like to pay less, but do the arguments for the Flint motion stand up?


21 May 09

Rights across the board

The contrasting human rights issues in the news this week should make us reflect


15 May 09

Regulation, a blessing in disguise

After this week's news, no one should doubt the value of close supervision


11 May 09

Class event

60th anniversary conference lived up to its billing


3 May 09

A week to remember

This coming week sees the climax of the Society's 60th anniversary year


23 Apr 09

Painting by numbers

Budget picture is not a pretty one, and seems to lack a sense of strategy


20 Apr 09

The limits of review

Criminal Cases Review Commissions were never intended to turn back the centuries


17 Apr 09

Up the down escalator

"Access to the professions" research needs to look at all the angles


10 Apr 09

Legal aid - at a price

Extended civil eligibility is no giveaway


3 Apr 09

Talking up the market?

How much of a revival in housing can we expect to see?


26 Mar 09

Fine tuning

Inspectorate's report on fiscal fines answers some but not all questions


19 Mar 09

Shutting the stable door

Proposed financial services supervision is partial restoration of common sense


12 Mar 09

Choosing the ground

Any review of solicitor advocates and rights of audience has to be seen to be impartial


6 Mar 09

Plenty of meat in this one

Criminal Justice and Licensing Bill gives Holyrood something to chew over


2 Mar 09

Claiming from the needy

How much should the Government be able to reclaim when benefit errors are made?


23 Feb 09

The price of extended rights

Solicitor advocates right to support call for review


13 Feb 09

Free speech needs consistency

Why ban Geert Wilders when his film is still being screened?


9 Feb 09

Judicious language

Sheriff's reported remarks would have been good test for new law


30 Jan 09

Time to move on

Debate about business models should be "how" rather than "whether"


22 Jan 09

"Double jeopardy" looks safe for now

Despite the fuss, the ancient principle has plenty of life


16 Jan 09

Another step forward with the new chief

Lorna Jack appointment should help break down barriers


8 Jan 09

This paper could have the right mix

Bureaucracy under control in regulation proposals


2 Jan 09

Time for positive thoughts

Welcome to a year with more to keep us guessing than most


24 Dec 08

Crunch turns the tables

No recovery until lenders get their act together


19 Dec 08

Can we legislate to keep people out of jail?

How far can the Scottish Government go beyond what is already the law?


11 Dec 08

Quiet life at 60

UN Declaration anniversary has been surprisingly low key


5 Dec 08

Trust thy neighbour

What will be the safeguards against abuse of the relaxed planning regime for domestic alterations?


29 Nov 08

Not all gloom on the high street

Conference hears of ways to create opportunities in recession


20 Nov 08

Offers over: the devil we know

Would it be a good thing if home reports saw their demise?


11 Nov 08

Be reserved with reserved powers

Governments should look beyond strict powers in making devolution work


7 Nov 08

Smoking out an overreaction

Is it right - and legal - to ban smokers from adopting or fostering young children?


6 Nov 08

Obama and the rule of law

Will the new President prove more sensitive to human rights and international obligations?


31 Oct 08

How far CPD?

Education and training consultation will propose how to improve quality


22 Oct 08

Sauce for the gander?

What is the consumer view of a ban on commercial medical practices?


16 Oct 08

Surveillance without frontiers?

Phone and email database proposals surely go too far


9 Oct 08

Votes in it?

Surely no advantage in electing our prosecutors


4 Oct 08

Off-licence: off limits?

Barring off-licence sales to under-21s: is there a better way?


3 Oct 08

Welcome

Introducing the Journal editor's blog


Editor's blog

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