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Weekly roundup of Scots Law in the headlines including accidental Scottish prison releases — Monday November 10

10th November 2025 Written by: Joshua King

This week's review of all the latest headlines from the world of Scots Law and beyond including the ongoing prisoner release saga as well as the ECHR at 75, and a landmark AI case.

Accidental prisoner releases

The incorrect release of prisoners is not a new issue, and has been blamed on a creaking, underfunded justice system. But it hit the headlines last week when Home and Justice Secretary David Lammy stood up at PMQs.

  • Dozens of prisoners released by mistake in Scotland over past four years (Scotsman)
  • Mistakenly released prisoner Billy Smith turns himself in (Guardian)
  • Analysis: Latest mistaken releases expose deep cracks in England’s prison system (Guardian)
  • Wandsworth prison is by far the worst I've visited (BBC)

European Convention on Human Rights turns 75

A cornerstone of our legal system or no longer fit for purpose? Debate surround the ECHR swirls with ferocity but we should nonetheless mark the 75th anniversary of the landmark treaty.

  • European Convention on Human Rights turns 75 (Gazette)
  • We are ready to discuss human rights law changes, top ECHR boss tells BBC (BBC)
  • Opinion: How the European convention on human rights became a battleground between the centre and the right (Guardian)
  • 75 years of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
  • ECHR at 75: ‘One of our greatest achievements, following one of our greatest tragedies’ | Andrew Copson (Humanists UK)

And in other news

Legal headlines from across the UK and beyond:

  • [£] Lawyers flock to Saudi Arabia despite human rights concerns (The Times)
  • World's End serial killer Angus Sinclair linked to three unsolved Glasgow murders (Glasgow Live)
  • UK lawyers warn of ‘race to the bottom’ after Tory MP issues deportation threat (Guardian)
  • [£] Eighteen arrested in connection with alleged global online fraud network (Financial Times)
  • [£] Law firms reshape ethics policies (The Times)
  • US ‘drug boat’ strikes are illegal and need to be investigated, UN human rights chief says (Independent)
  • [£] Q&A: Mark Mulholland acted for Soldier F over Bloody Sunday shootings (The Times)
  • [£] JPMorgan hit with record fine from German finance watchdog (Financial Times)
  • AI firm wins high court ruling after photo agency’s copyright claim (Guardian)
  • The young lawyer taking Pakistan to court over its unfair ‘period tax’ (Guardian)
  • [£] How one man had a vision to create a national land register (The Times)

Briefing: Tax, a new landscape, Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief

6th April 2026
Yvonne Evans explores the new rules on Agricultural and Business Property Relief which take effect for deaths on or after 6 April 2026.

The technological lawyer in the age of AI

1st April 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer merely a tool lawyers use. It is becoming an environment in which legal method may be organised, repeated and scaled, says Dr Corsino San Miguel.

Stress, behaviour and boundaries: A new toolkit aims to change how solicitors talk about wellbeing

1st April 2026
There are some conversations within the legal profession that are widely understood, yet still rarely spoken about openly.
About the author
Joshua King
Editor of the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland. Leading The Journal's coverage of the legal sector and profession with a clear eye to the future. Qualified in Scots law.
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