Expert Views

Around 500 former patients of Mr Eljamel have now registered to participate in the Independent Clinical Review ("ICR") in connection with the Eljamel Public Inquiry, making it one of the most significant patient review exercises ever undertaken in Scotland. At Levy & McRae Solicitors, we have already assisted a substantial number of former patients and family members through the process, from the initial statement request stage, through to the submission of completed Applicant Statements. We continue to assist many more applicants as their statements are requested by the ICR. 

Levy & McRae advises individuals, estates, clubs and commercial organisations on firearms law across Scotland and the wider UK. We deal with applications, renewals, variations, refusals and revocations, and defend firearms-related prosecutions in courts throughout Scotland. We also act for bodies including the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the Scottish Association for Country Sports.

I have decided to dedicate this month's article only to the pending changes on use of traps. There are a number of key elements which you should be aware of: Snaring is being banned and my understanding is the ban will take place in October. Secondly, some good news - it is now a criminal offence for a person to tamper, disarm or destroy a trap in a manner that leaves it non-compliant.

In late summer, the statutory guidance for the Police was tightened up across the UK for all shotgun and firearm certificate holders. The main changes are as follows. The number of referees required for shotgun certificate applications has been increased from one to two, as well as providing new advice to referees on their responsibilities in supporting an application.

One of the issues which arises constantly as I enter the ‘training’ season and travel around the country to meet gamekeepers is the question of right to roam and how to handle people coming onto the estate. The starting point is that, in Scotland, we have the right to roam. I prefer to refer to it as the right to responsible access because, although individuals do have the right to use the land for pastimes, family and social activities, active pursuits and events, including cycling, it is critical that this is done responsibly.

The recent exchange between Aston Villa FC and former footballer turned pundit Jamie Carragher provides a useful illustration of how modern defamation disputes are often driven as much by reputation management as by legal principle. Although there was speculation about possible legal action, the matter appears to have been resolved swiftly through an apology, highlighting both the challenges of bringing a defamation claim and the value of early corrective action.