Knowledge

From early 2026, we will begin to see the first significant effects of the Employment Rights Bill come into force, bringing a number of substantial changes that employers need to be prepared to adapt to.

The Law Society of Scotland has set out its approach to the implementation of the Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2025 and confirmed that work on regulating licenced legal service providers will be deferred until 2027.

Scottish Borders Council backs a draft byelaw to restrict public access at the proposed Center Parcs site near Hawick, sparking debate over Scotland’s right to roam and the future of open countryside.

The ECCT Act contains a number of different measures to prevent and tackle economic crime, including the new failure to prevent fraud offence. In this article we highlight the key details of this development.

The High Court in England’s recent decision in DKH Retail Ltd v City Football Group Ltd [2024] EWHC 3221 (Ch) suggested a change of attitude towards mandating compulsory mediation during judicial proceedings. The decision highlights the court’s willingness to actively encourage alternative dispute resolution and provides useful guidance in respect of commercial litigation strategy.

In this fifth instalment in our clean energy joint ventures series, we look at the topic of merger control in the UK and the EU.

Changing leadership is a challenge in any workplace but for family businesses the decision can be even more complicated. It is paramount to carefully consider succession planning and training for future leaders to ensure your business stands the test of time.

Using equity is a tried and tested method to help recruit, retain and incentivise key employees and align their interests with shareholders. One commonly used structure involves ‘growth shares’.

The Scottish Government is striving towards an ambitious 2040 renewable energy target, with upcoming consultations seeking views on three connected strands of offshore wind delivery in Scotland. First published in SPEL, (2025) 230 SPEL 85.

While gifts made seven years before death are not considered part of the Inheritance Tax (IHT) calculation, gifts made after this can result in a sizeable IHT bill. This article highlights a number of lesser-known IHT exemptions in respect of gifting. This article was first published in The Scotsman.

Private water supplies can be crucial to those living and working in rural Scotland. As demand increases and weather patterns become more erratic, disputes over water rights and responsibilities are rising. We have seen a marked increase in enquires from owners of private water supplies about these matters in recent times. 

Fostering a strong sense of belonging and collegiality is vital not only to the triumph of any sports team but also to businesses in all industries. This article highlights the keys to the Lionesses’ success that can be translated to the everyday workplace. 

Share Schemes are a great way to retain, incentivise, motivate, and reward key employees within your business. However, they cannot reach their greatest potential unless the employees themselves understand how the scheme operates and how vesting schedules work. Partner Gavin Charlton and Trainee Taylor Foster break down the vesting process and different alternatives commonly seen in practice.

The Employment Rights Bill ( ERB) has been the headline topic in employment law since it was published on 10 October 2024. As the ERB continues to make its way through Parliament and evolve, this article provides a tailored update for the hotels and hospitality sector. 

The Scottish Government’s public consultation on a proposed review of fire safety topics closed on 7 March 2025. Having had the time to consider the consultation responses, the Scottish Government has now issued its analysis. This article explains that analysis and summarises what it all means for the hotels and hospitality sector. 

What rights do tenant farmers have when it comes to damages caused by deer? There are thought to be over a million deer in Scotland and the pressure that this huge population causes to farming cannot be underestimated. 

The Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator is aiming to promote greater transparency and reinforce public confidence in the work undertaken by charities. We explore the recent legislative changes that are making this possible.

The UK government has rolled out the first batch of work visa restrictions announced in its May Immigration White Paper. Several changes to the Skilled Worker route were implemented on 22 July, all of which will affect the hospitality sector. 

The UK government has rolled out the first batch of Skilled Worked sponsorship visa restrictions announced in its latest Immigration White Paper. 

The Scottish Courts offer welcomed clarification on prescription for construction claims.

A summary of the recent Court of Appeal decision in Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Ltd v Alex Neill Class Representative Ltd, which confirmed that the litigation funding agreements under consideration were not unenforceable damages-based agreements.

The Court of Appeal recently overturned a decision of the High Court that found part of a contract was unenforceable as the parties had failed to agree a price. This article explores what this decision means for suppliers.

In this fourth instalment in our clean energy joint ventures series, we look at the topic of director duties. 

In 1st Formations Limited v Lapp Industries Ltd, the Technology and Construction Court held that an interim payment application was valid despite the opposing arguments that the notice did not comply with Paragraph 2 of the Scheme for Construction Contracts 1998 as amended, it was ambiguous, and it also concerned incorrect dates and provisional sums.