Criminal at Scots Law 2026

We are delighted to be returning to the Hilton Glasgow* for the first in our Scots Law 2026 Conference Series, exclusively available to delegates in person on the day.

Our new conference, chaired by Neil Hay of Levy & McRae, will take an in depth look at the most important legal developments, ranging from the impact of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025, financial crime and trial preparation to the limits on free speech, discovery of evidence and domestic crime.

Neil will be joined by a panel of experts including Frances McMenamin KC, Stuart Munro from Livingstone Brown, Tom Stocker from Pinsent Masons, Andrew Seggie of Levy & McRae and Alan Wickham of Arnot Manderson Advocates.

What's being covered?

Impact of the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025

• The abolition of the not proven verdict; the difficulty in tracking the impact of this major development in the face of so many other changes, both legislative and court-led
• Jury majorities - uncharted territory
• The Sexual Offences Court - what that will mean for solicitors and advocates, including in relation to rights of audience, trauma informed certification and legal aid
• Independent legal representation for complainers - the practical impact on the trial process

Stuart Munro, Livingstone Brown

Hate crime legislation in terms of free speech and breach of the peace

Alan Wickham, Arnot Manderson Advocates

Trial preparation in 2026

In this session, Frances will discuss general trial preparation and the impact on that, in terms of recent legislation.

Frances McMenamin KC

Discovery of Evidence

• Case Management Hearings
• Disclosure applications
• Recovery of Documents
• Precognition on Oath of witnesses
• Practical guidance for solicitors in relation to remedies available for discovery of evidence in criminal proceedings

Neil Hay, Levy & McRae

Financial crime overview

Tom Stocker, Pinsent Masons

Domestic crime in Scots Law

• An overview of common law crimes and statutory offences
• A review of recent evidential reforms and the implications for legal practice
• Tips for trial preparation in domestic cases

Andrew Seggie, Levy & McRae 

*A reduced parking rate of £10 per car is available onsite at the hotel. A code will be issued during the conference which can be entered into the pay station when paying before leaving the car park.