Opinion

In a time of significant change to the civil litigation system, the approach to fraudulent exaggeration of insurance claims is diverging North and South of the border. This combination of developments may lead to a perfect storm for fraudulent claims in Scotland, writes Kate Donachie. In England and

Fiona Buchanan extols the benefits of mentoring and looks at how it has been implemented at Shepherd and Wedderburn. Shepherd and Wedderburn, as a collection of individuals and as a business, has put diversity and inclusivity at the heart its organisational culture and values. The business case for

Suzy Thomson, investment manager at Brewin Dolphin in Dundee, suggests five things lawyers should consider in managing trusts. Trusts are increasing in popularity as an investment vehicle. That’s good news for lawyers, who tend to deal with them on behalf of clients, but they inevitably c

Defence solicitor Ian Smart comments on the sexual misconduct allegations that have been made against Alex Salmond, encouraging all concerned to respect the presumption of innocence. I have tried to avoid commenting on the Salmond matter for the very good reason that I have no idea if there is a sub

Balfour+Manson was the first law firm to assume a female partner in Scotland in 1949, and it continues to promote women on merit, says Elaine Motion. As a lawyer specialising in human rights and civil liberties, I have stood up for equality throughout my career

A Court of Session ruling has highlighted how technology suppliers can successfully raise claims for relief for delays caused to their work, and how the businesses engaging those suppliers might properly resist those claims, writes Clive Seddon. Agilisys Limited (Agilisys) was engaged by technology

An immigration ‘cliff edge’ would be a real problem for the many sectors which currently rely on large numbers of EU migrant workers. Transitional arrangements are essential to ensure ‘business as usual’ is possible for many of our clients post-Brexit, writes Steven Dunn 

Before the festive break, Rachael Kelsey did her first update on the implications of Brexit for family law, giving a general overview of where we are with the three most likely political outcomes. Things are moving apace and there was a significant, if under the radar, development on 28th

Jennifer Jack, a member of the legal team that represented the MPs in Wightman and others, summarises the case. Brexit is fraught with uncertainty – but there is now one thing we know without a doubt: The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has confirmed the UK is legally e

This month brought another interesting development in the ongoing saga of employment status for gig economy workers, writes Meghan Jenkins. Last Wednesday the English High Court rejected a judicial review challenge in the case of R (on the application of the Independent Workers Union of Great Britai

Katharine Muir highlights a very serious case implicating a company's products in the deaths of infants. The decision to bring criminal charges against ITH Pharma Ltd (“ITH”), the manufacturer of an intravenous nutritional product, is a reminder that manufacturers have duties to the end

Rachael Kelsey, a director at SKO Family Law Specialists, will be writing regular updates for Scottish Legal News in coming weeks, dealing with the specifics of the Brexit implications for family law. Here, Rachael gives a general overview of where we are with the three most likely political outcome

Sheriff Ross Macfarlane QC, artistic director of the Faculty of Advocates choir, writes on the humble beginnings of its annual Christmas carol charity fundraiser. It all started so innocently… November 1996: I was a fairly new advocate and having a cup of tea in the advocates’ reading r

Tony McGlennan, legal director at Addleshaw Goddard, writes on a new crackdown on nuisance phone calls. The frustrating feeling of your day being interrupted by a nuisance sales call, or your inbox filling with spam emails is something with which most of us are all too familiar. Whether it’s P

Kate Fergusson, head of responsible business at Pinsent Masons, reflects on the international law firm's fundraising work in Scotland. This season of goodwill brings out the best in people and evidence is all around us when you consider the huge number of charitable initiatives which come to the for