Knowledge


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9 May 2022

Fair opportunity to comment – Van Oord UK Ltd v Dragados UK Ltd

Contributor: Iain Drummond

Iain Drummond considers the recent decision in Van Oord UK Ltd v Dragados UK Ltd and the importance of an adjudicator allowing both parties fair opportunity to comment on points considered significant by the adjudicator, which the parties were not aware of or did not argue.

3 May 2022

How ESG credentials are gaining relevance in business restructuring

Contributor: Fiona McKerrell

As environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations become increasingly important for businesses, Fiona McKerrell, discusses why having strong ESG credentials can be essential for organisations in their restructuring strategy.

2 May 2022

Losing farmland to carbon investment has its dangers

Contributor: Hamish Lean

Hamish Lean discusses how the afforestation of farmland by carbon investors could be damaging to the agricultural industry.

27 April 2022

What are the consequences when an organisation gets ESG wrong?

Contributor: John MacKenzie

John MacKenzie discusses the potential legal consequences organisations could face if they don’t ensure they are complying with their ESG responsibilities. 

22 April 2022

The Oscar for best (souvenir) plot goes to…

Contributor: Alexandra Lane

With reference to Scots law, Alexandra Lane discusses a misleading gift contained in this year’s infamous “Everyone Wins” goody bag.

20 April 2022

Swift policy changes vital to offshore wind goals

Contributor: Scott McCallum

Scott McCallum discusses the UK Government’s offshore wind ambitions set out in the recently published British energy security strategy, and the policy changes required to achieve these targets. 

13 April 2022

The Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land

Contributor: Hamish Lean

A new register intended to improve transparency of ownership and overall control of land and buildings became operational on 1 April, 2022. Who does it apply to and what does it mean for farming businesses?

7 April 2022

Forestry and agriculture need not be at loggerheads

Contributor: Hamish Lean

Hamish Lean, Partner and Head of Rural Property, outlines how both landowners and agricultural tenants can benefit from creating woodlands on unproductive land.

7 April 2022

Succession in family business: a balancing act

Contributor: Susie Tweedie

Susie Tweedie discusses the options available to family businesses who are considering their succession planning strategy.

1 April 2022

UK Government announces broad reforms to the UK prospectus regime

Contributor: Stephen Trombala

Stephen Trombala and Tom Swan discuss a recent review outcome published by HM Treasury setting out intended reforms to the UK prospectus regime.

25 March 2022

Food security task force must deliver the goods

Contributor: George Frier

George Frier discusses the Scottish Government’s introduction of a food security task force, and why this measure is essential following the conflict in Ukraine.

25 March 2022

Managing health and safety risks in the agricultural sector

Contributor: Hamish Lean

With reference to two recent cases, Kevin Clancy discusses what steps landowners and employers should take to ensure health and safety compliance in the agricultural sector. 

21 March 2022

Health and safety for organisers of sports events

With sporting events now welcoming back spectators, organisers must consider their health and safety responsibilities.

14 March 2022

Shifting attitudes to tax planning and tax avoidance

Contributor: Gillian Campbell

Gillian Campbell discusses the legalities of taxation and why minimising tax is not strictly the primary driver for individuals and families seeking advice.

7 March 2022

Health and safety inspections: What you need to know and how you can ensure compliance

Contributor: Kevin Clancy

As the UK Government continues to lift COVID-19 restrictions, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding businesses that it is continuing to carry out inspections to ensure compliance with the latest guidance.

1 March 2022

International Women’s Day: Exploring imposter syndrome in the legal profession

Tuesday 8 March 2022 will mark International Women’s Day, and the campaign theme this year is #BreakTheBias. Although hashtags are catchy, I was eager to understand what ‘breaking the bias’ means for my colleagues and I in practice. As we strive to build a gender equal world, free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination, it occurred to me that often the biggest obstacle we face in our efforts to value and celebrate our successes is an internal bias toward our own capabilities.

23 February 2022

Family fortunes: is Inheritance Tax fit for modern families?

Contributor: Justine Grant

With birth and marriage rates falling, the model of the ‘traditional’ family is quickly changing. Justine McCluskey asks whether Inheritance Tax is fit for modern times.

18 February 2022

Limitation of liability clauses: printing company’s £29m claim up in smoke

Contributor: Iain Drummond

Iain Drummond examines the effectiveness of contractual liability clauses with reference to a recent case in which a company’s almost £30 million claim was limited to just £3,225.

17 February 2022

What does a growing focus on philanthropy mean for families?

Contributor: Keith McLaren

Keith McLaren discusses how a growing desire to use wealth for good, means many clients are prioritising philanthropy when it comes to personal wealth planning.

11 February 2022

Natasha’s Law and mandatory allergen labelling

Natasha’s Law requires food producers to adhere to updated regulations concerning the labelling of ingredients and allergens in certain foods. Does Natasha’s Law apply to your business?

9 February 2022

What do new licences mean for short-term lets?

Contributor: Kevin Clancy

New Scottish Government legislation will require all short-term let properties to hold a suitable licence issued by a local authority. What do short-term letting operators need to know?
 

7 February 2022

How are socio-economic factors impacting private wealth?

Contributor: Christopher McGill

How are factors such as COVID-19, inflation and a move towards more ethical investment practices affecting private wealth in the UK? Chris McGill, Partner in our private wealth and tax team, explains.

31 January 2022

A partnership tenancy can be risky when it comes to change

Contributor: Hamish Lean

Hamish Lean, Partner and Head of our rural property team, discusses the problems that can arise when partnership tenancies change.

31 January 2022

Prosafe – Scottish courts refuse assistance under UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency

Contributor: Hamish Patrick

Writing for International Corporate Rescue, Dr Hamish Patrick, Partner in our banking and finance team, comments on the Scottish courts’ refusal of assistance under the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency.