Insights

Our lawyers are immersed in the industries and sectors in which they operate. Keep abreast of the changing legal landscape with insights from our expert lawyers.

Publications available on this website provide general information only and do not constitute legal advice. See Legal Notices for further information.
Thursday 8th June 2023

Deposit Return Scheme - what do you need to do?

Considerable uncertainty surrounds Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The DRS, having initially been set to be implemented in July 2022, August 2023 and then March 2024, has now been delayed until October 2025 ‘at the earliest’. With penalties for producers and retailers who fail to comply with the scheme requirements and uncertainty around how and if the scheme will be implemented, businesses will want and need to know: just what are they required to do?

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Categories: Workplace Risk and Regulation , Health, Safety and Environmental Regulation , Food and Drink , Hospitality and Leisure
Person wild camping in Scotland
Thursday 1st June 2023

Right to roam - wild camping legal rights in Scotland

The recent popularity of wild camping caused a number of problems for landowners concerned about the impact on the countryside. Now, as we head into a summer of staycations, landowners should familiarise themselves with the public’s right of responsible access, commonly referred to as the right to roam. 

 

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Categories: Rural and Estates
Friday 26th May 2023

Artificial Intelligence – what does the future of the workplace look like?

Over recent months, ChatGPT has hit the news - and many of our phone and laptop screens - as the human race comes to terms with the rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. In the workplace, there has been a gradual shift towards AI in recent years, expanding the use of AI in place of human decision-making in areas such as recruitment, management, and performance review. 

This article explores the current uses of AI and considers what legal pitfalls employers should be aware of to ensure their use of AI complies with all relevant legislation.

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Categories: Data Protection and Privacy , GDPR , Employment , Energy and Sustainability
Wednesday 24th May 2023

Moveable Transactions Bill passed by Scottish Parliament

On 4 May 2023 the Scottish Parliament passed the long-awaited Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Bill. The Bill introduces wide-ranging reforms to the Scots law of assignation of rights and of security over moveable property, and heralds one of the biggest changes to commercial law in Scotland – and for the ability of Scottish businesses to access finance - for many years.

Almost 20 years in the making the package is the result of extensive consultation with stakeholders across the legal, financial services and general business communities, particularly in recent years as the final legislation was being drafted.

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Categories: Banking and Finance , Moveable Transactions Reform in Scotland
Tuesday 23rd May 2023

Creating Financial Accountability for Regulatory Failings

Businesses can be significantly affected by the behaviour of regulated utilities, such as those operating water or transport infrastructure, with failure of these infrastructures resulting in considerable costs for firms. In this article, our Regulatory Risk and Compliance team discusses the increased risk of private court actions against underperforming regulated utilities, spurred on by greater accessibility of collective actions.

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Categories: Anti-Competitive Conduct , Competition Law Enforcement and Disputes , Compliance Monitoring , Economic and Public Interest Regulation , Economic Regulation , Public Interest Regulation , Regulatory Investigations , Funded Litigation