Opinion

The Inner House’s decision in Sarwar v Phlo Technologies Ltd [2026] CSIH 20 provides an important reminder of the limits of dismissal at debate in commercial litigation – particularly where waiver and personal bar are founded on complex contractual and factual matrices. In allowing a rec

The success of England’s Martha’s Rule has strengthened calls for clearer escalation rights and greater patient involvement in Scotland’s healthcare system, where protections remain more limited, writes Michaela Guthrie. There has been much publicity about the positive impact of Ma

If polling, which has broadly held steady for the last 18 months, is to be believed and the SNP is returned to Bute House as predicted, by the end of this fifth consecutive term the party will have been in power for almost a quarter of a century. The scale of such an achievement would be hard to ove

The Contract (Formation and Remedies) (Scotland) Act 2026 received royal assent on 14 April. It marks a deliberate step toward modernising Scots contract law by making it clearer, more accessible and better aligned with how business is carried out in practice, writes Emma Wills. The Scots contract l

Fergus Spowart and Sinéad Pow discuss why the construction industry needs a more strategic approach to debt recovery, what steps businesses can take and how these measures can protect cash flow while maintaining commercial relationships in an increasingly pressured market.  In the Scotti

The introduction of The Private Housing Rent Control (Exempt Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2026, which took effect from 1 April, represents a quietly significant moment for Scotland’s residential investment landscape, particularly for those advising on Build to Rent (BTR) schemes, writes St

The Street Law programme, run by the Law Society of Scotland, is designed to introduce young people to legal concepts, to improve skills like critical thinking, and more importantly to get them thinking that a career in law might be open to them, writes Claire Welsh. Traditionally delivered by unive

Two decades on from the Companies Act 2006, the UK is undergoing the most significant reform of Companies House in a generation. The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 marks a decisive shift from a largely passive registry to an active gatekeeper of corporate information. For Scotlan

Just a couple of weeks ago, the UK government laid before Parliament its statutory instrument on Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) reforms. However, the changes proposed are strikingly modest in the context of HM Treasury’s broad consultation exercise, writes Michael Ross. Change in the area

A recent judgment has highlighted a growing issue and concern about the misuse of AI in court proceedings, write Elaine Elder and Hannah Campbell. In Your Home Partners v Kellichan and Another (2026) SC KDY 34, the sheriff issued a strong warning about the dangers of relying on AI-generated legal ma

Following recent Competition and Markets Authority enforcement action against companies involved in bid‑rigging and other anti‑competitive practices, Colin Miller, a legal director in the corporate team at BTO, issues a timely reminder that construction remains a priority sector for regulatory s

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced late yesterday afternoon how their redress scheme arising from commission paid by motor finance lenders to car dealers will operate. Andrew Foyle has the details. The choice to make the announcement after the financial markets had closed mirrored the S

Professor Kieran McEvoy rubbishes claims of a "witch hunt" against former British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland. In recent months, there has been a renewed push by British army veterans and their supporters for a return to some variant of the Boris Johnson-era amnesty and for drawing a lin

The UK government faces mounting pressure to fulfil its pledge to regulate non-surgical cosmetic procedures (NSCPs) – including “Brazilian butt lifts”, Botox and dermal fillers – that have left people maimed, injured and requiring hospital treatment, write Jacqueline Harris a

The Scottish Parliament’s decision to reject the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill marked a significant moment in the long running debate over assisted dying. Following a deeply impassioned debate on Tuesday 17 March 2026, the bill was defeated by 69 votes to 57, with on