Please see attached for details of Law Society Scotland review of the Scottish criminal justice system's approach to vulnerability in accused persons chaired by our Convenor, @EamonPHKeane1. Views are sought from practitioners. We encourage all members to apply: tinyurl.com/y5kxmjkv

Really pleased to announce the launch of a reduced rate student membership package with the generous support of Faculty of Advocates. See tinyurl.com/sn5asea for further details.

Join us here: scolag.org/membership/. Thanks to Angela Grahame KC, Roddy Dunlop KC and all at Faculty of Advocates for making our £10 student membership possible.

Well done Tim Haddow Counsel Themis Advocates Scotland. SCOLAG

Very informative event from SCOLAG this afternoon on mental health awareness for lawyers

.Humza Yousaf should today pause the proposed reforms to juries and statement evidence. No one has explained why these changes must be made right now. There is time to consult with stakeholders. We recognise the scale of the problem and want to contribute to better solutions.

Removing jury reforms from the Bill is the right course of action. Humza Yousaf is to be commended for taking that step. We urge @ScotGov to pause the reforms to evidence by statement, which are significant and raise real fair trial issues. Consultation on them is essential.

Reforms to the use of statement evidence are in danger of passing with inadequate scrutiny. We have real concerns over their impact on fairness of trials and the risk of miscarriages of justice. Humza Yousaf @liamkerrMSP @JamesKellyLab @Liam4Orkney @JohnFinnieHI

Reflections on Coronavirus & criminal justice reform in this month’s SCOLAG Legal Journal. Careful thought and proper consultation required.