Coronavirus

Social distancing regulations introduced to slow the spread of coronavirus have been confirmed and extended to protect workers. Temporary regulations restricting public gatherings and non-essential business activity have been in force since 26 March.

Scammers are duping the public and businesses with counterfeit goods to profit from the panic and fear caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC) has reported a spike in counterfeit crime along with cybercrime and fraud as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, wi

Inspired by the extraordinary exploits of Captain Tom Moore, the slightly younger Lincoln (aged one), son of Terra Firma deputy clerk Tracy Whitelaw, has embarked on his own daily garden walk to help raise funds for the NHS.

The Scottish Law Agents Society (SLAS) has called on Revenue Scotland to extend the period within which additional dwelling supplement tax can be reclaimed – to 24 months. SLAS raised concerns that its clients will suffer financial loss as a result of the current coronavirus pandemic wher

Douglas Mill looks at some of the opportunities the current lockdown presents. Or perhaps two months. Or longer. Who knows. And that is the worst of it, as business planning and strategy without a timeline is impossible. Part of the difficulty of the current situation is, I think, psychological for

Healthcare workers should be granted "immunity" from civil liability for medical negligence during the coronavirus pandemic, the Medical Defence Union (MDU) has said. The largest medical defence organisation in the UK, which provides legal support to around 200,000 healthcare workers, said existing

Progress in resuming civil court business has been applauded by the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Roddy Dunlop QC. While emphasising that much still needed to be done, Mr Dunlop hailed “admirable advances” and praised the efforts of all parties seeking to ensure the delivery of

The Scottish Young Lawyers' Association has proposed an amendment to the organisation's standing orders to allow its AGM to take place under social distancing measures. This general meeting will take place by Zoom on 27 April 2020 at 5pm. Any member of the association may, if they wish, dial in to t

The Scottish Criminal Bar Association (SCBA) has expressed optimism after a roundtable discussion about jury trials during the COVID-19 emergency. Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf hosted the video conference in which the SCBA and other interested parties were represented.

The UK Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG), which includes the Law Society of Scotland, has jointly published an advisory note, highlighting key anti-money laundering (AML) risks and challenges for the legal profession associated with the COVID-19 crisis. It also includes information to help the prof

Partners at Ashurst, which has an office in Glasgow, will have their monthly drawings reduced by 20 per cent to ensure the firm's financial resilience throughout the pandemic. The move is part of the firm's Stronger Together programme, which covers all 16 offices around the world and affects all sta

As everyone is forced to adapt to new circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic mediators are no exception. That said, it would be fair to say that a number of mediators have been conducting their ­practice online for a number of years. I am aware of one mediator who has ­conducted a glo

Despite a furious backlash from the legal profession, the Scottish government is still actively considering the suspension of jury trials.

Court of Session Inner House appeals will recommence from next Tuesday, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service has announced. Following work by the SCTS's digital team over the Easter holiday period, new systems have been set up to maintain civil justice during the lockdown.

With the Scottish government and the Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum advising that all non-essential building sites in Scotland should close in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Harper Macleod partner Michael Conroy outlines what this means for building projects that are governed by the