Catholic Church in Scotland the eastern suburbs of Glasgow, especially around Coatbridge, populated mostly by the descendants of Irish immigrants. According to the 2011 census, Catholics comprise 16% of the overall population, making it the second largest church after the Church of Scotland (32%). In recent years the Catholic Church in Scotland has suffered from poor publicity connected to attacks made against secular and liberal values by senior clergy. Joseph Devine, Bishop of Motherwell, came under fire after describing the "gay lobby" as "the opposition" who were responsible for mounting "a giant conspiracy" to shape public policy. Criticism has also been levelled at perceived
Trial by jury in Scotland Trial by jury in Scotland Trial by jury in Scotland is used in the courts of Scotland in solemn procedure for trial on indictment before a judge and jury of fifteen for serious criminal cases, and in certain civil cases (mainly personal injury claims.) In criminal trials conviction is on the basis of a majority verdict, with eight jurors required to decide that the accused is guilty; should fewer than eight jurors declare a guilty verdict then the accused is acquitted. Thus, a hung jury is an impossibility in Scottish criminal law, but in civil trials a hung jury is