A dispute between the proprietor and his journeymen arose in 1890 at the office of the Scottish Leader, after the introduction of a Linotype machine. The proprietor required three months’ notice from his men while reserving the right to dismiss them after one month. "The outcome was that the members were ejected from work...Considerable publicity was given...to this case in view of 'the advanced Liberal opinions of the Leader" (Gillespie, A Hundred Years of Progress, pp.111-12).

The paper was also sued for slander in 1887 "by the Rev John James Browne, County Antrim Ireland, and his three sons Arthur Browne, George C. Browne and John James Browne" (The Scottish Law Reporter).