Trade Union access rights: Are employers ready for the new regime?
Employer obligations towards trade unions are set to change significantly later this year. The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 will soon have a new statutory trade...
Scotland’s EPC reforms may be delayed — but the direction of travel is clear
Energy performance remains a key issue for property owners, landlords and investors, particularly as regulatory approaches in Scotland and England continue to develop in different ways. Although Scotland’s planned EPC...
When a deal becomes a deal: What Scotland’s new Contract Law means for Northern Isles businesses
For businesses and community organisations across Orkney and Shetland, agreements are often made across distance: by email, over the phone, between Scottish mainland suppliers, island customers and partners further...
Back to Basics: Liquidated Damages
A liquidated damages clause is a powerful tool within a written construction contract. It can be thought of as a contractual Swiss army knife: it does a little bit...
From social media to staffrooms: How culture wars are creating new risks for employers
From conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine to debates over immigration, gender identity and social activism, some of the most divisive issues in public life are finding their...
A “Gilded Cage” revisited: What the new Cheshire West decision means for Scotland
For more than a decade, one of the most influential legal ideas in health and social care was captured in a simple phrase: “a gilded cage is still a...
Pensions and inheritance tax (IHT) from April 2027 – update
At the UK budget in October 2024, it was announced that most unused pension funds and death benefits would be brought into the IHT net. This represented a fundamental...
If I wasn’t here, what happens to the kids?
Most parents spend a lot of time thinking ahead – right now, you’re probably juggling booking clubs for the summer, planning childcare, saving for school trips, while also wondering...
Who gets what? Fair financial settlements on divorce in Scotland
A fair financial settlement in Scotland begins with a clear understanding of what counts as matrimonial property, because only matrimonial property is available for division. Matrimonial property includes assets...
Protecting your people in the heat: What Scottish employers need to know
Scotland isn’t known for extreme heat, but recent summers have shown how quickly conditions can change. Prolonged high temperatures can put both workers and customers at real risk, and...
An expert guide to handling construction disputes
In his recent article, our colleague and construction disputes expert Ryan McCuaig explored how you can protect your business and avoid construction disputes. Ryan laid out steps contractors and...
Expanding horizons: Our English property capabilities for rural clients
For many rural clients, property interests do not stop at the Border. Through inheritance, investment, diversification or family arrangements, it is increasingly common for Scottish landowners, farmers and rural...
Managing seasonal workers in the wake of employment law reform
So far, much of the attention surrounding the Employment Rights Act 2025 (“ERA 2025”) has focused on proposals relating to unfair dismissal rights. While those reforms are undoubtedly important,...
Farming’s hidden dangers: reducing risk and preventing claims
The farming and agriculture industry is fundamental to everyday life. Farmers supply essential produce such as milk, eggs, and meat—items many of us rely on daily. However, what is...
A New Framework for Farming: Support, Succession and Structural Change
Landowners, tenants and farming businesses continue to operate against a backdrop of market volatility, environmental ambition and continued legislative reform. In practice, the challenge is no longer simply how...
The Contract (Formation and Remedies) (Scotland) Act 2026: A quick guide for English lawyers
The Contract (Formation and Remedies) (Scotland) Act 2026 represents the most significant statutory intervention in Scots contract law for many years. The legislation, which received Royal Assent on 14...
Scotland’s new Contract Act 2026: Key changes and action points for businesses
The Contract (Formation and Remedies) (Scotland) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 14 April 2026 and is designed to bring clearer, more modern rules on contract formation and remedies...
Heat networks brought into line as new UK-wide rules take effect
Heat networks, long seen as a key but under-regulated part of the UK’s low-carbon future, are now subject to a comprehensive new regulatory regime that will have direct implications...
Managing high profile exits amid historic allegations
The sudden departure of well-known Radio DJ, Scott Mills, from the BBC has given rise to much speculation as to the exact trigger behind the decision, what was known...
Martyn’s Law: SIA consultation clarifies regulatory approach for businesses and venue operators
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, commonly known as Martyn’s Law, is named in memory of Martyn Hett, one of the 22 people killed in the Manchester Arena...
Changes are coming to how work-related injuries, ill health and dangerous occurrences are reported
On 7 April 2026, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced a public consultation on The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 ( “RIDDOR”). The HSE...
The cost of overlooking Endometriosis in equality action plans
Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women. Yet in many workplaces, it is barely part of the conversation. However, with employers already facing legal scrutiny, any business waiting for legislation...
Money Laundering Regulations reform: A missed opportunity?
Just a couple of weeks ago, the UK Government laid before Parliament a Statutory Instrument on Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) reforms. However, the changes proposed are strikingly modest in...
Key considerations for energy developers following recent grid reform
Great Britain’s electricity grid is undergoing its most significant overhaul in decades. These changes seek to accelerate connections, unlock private investment, prioritise shovel‑ready clean energy projects aligned with national 2030...
Land reform – the effect of resumption changes on energy projects
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 covers a large number of topics, some of which have received plenty of attention in articles like this one, and some not as much....
When personal views and trustee duties collide: practical considerations for trustees
Trustees are often chosen because they have strong values and sound judgment. In practice, however, those same qualities can create challenges where personal views conflict with trustees’ legal obligations. This...
Embedding respect, transparency and representation: Why retailers must prepare now for the Employment Rights Act
The UK’s Employment Rights Act (ERA) represents one of the most significant reforms of workplace legislation in a generation. For retailers already navigating tight margins, fluctuating footfall and intense competition,...
Surge in criminal charges for dangerous or careless driving
Over the course of the past year, we have seen an increase in examples of clients seeking advice after road traffic incidents or collisions where they have been told by...
Why Managers Need Better Neurodiversity Training
It’s Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-22 March), which is an impressive worldwide initiative raising awareness of neurological differences to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about them. But awareness and understanding of neurodiversity...
Are Trusts Still Worth It? Why They Remain a Powerful Planning Tool
For many families, trusts have long been a cornerstone of effective wealth preservation and succession planning. Yet in recent years, the landscape has changed. Increased tax exposure, greater reporting requirements,...