Opinion

The growing popularity of self-builds and owner-managed conversions and renovations, perhaps fuelled by the popularity of Grand Designs and other such programmes, puts an additional potential responsibility on conveyancers when acting for purchasers of such properties and this is becoming a growing

A string of prosecutions in the UK should spur UK manufacturers to take action to meet their legal obligations to address health risks arising from dust, writes Charlotte O’Kane. In the last year, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecutions have resulted in cases in which businesses - and,

Last week’s Programme for Government marked one year as first minister for John Swinney and also fell exactly one year until voters go to the polls in arguably one of the most important Scottish elections since devolution, writes Scott Wright. The programme was brought forward by the first min

The EU’s sweeping reform of product liability law contrasts sharply with the UK’s more tentative approach, write Paola Sproul and Mark Gibson. The EU and the UK are undergoing significant overhauls of their product liability regimes, primarily driven by the need to address challenges pos

If a parent wishes to move abroad with a child who is usually resident within Scotland, that parent will require the permission of anyone else who holds parental rights in respect of the child. Unfortunately, such permission is not always sought or obtained before a parent takes the child to live ab

Scottish building and fire safety regulations are set to change significantly in light of the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry, writes Katherine Metcalfe. The Scottish Government’s acceptance of all recommendations from the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire signals further significant cha

In the wake of World Intellectual Property Day, Alastair Smith explores the crucial significance of intellectual property rights in protecting the creative work and ensuring the commercial success of musicians and composers. It is arguably the most iconic movie signature tune of all time, recognisab

Plans to reward people who report corporate crime within their own organisation are to be taken forward by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) over the next year, writes Tom Stocker. In its latest annual business plan the SFO lists “progress whistleblower incentivisation reform” as

On 16 April 2025, the UK's Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the terms "woman," "man," and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 refer to biological sex at birth. This landmark judgment provides clarity on a contentious legal issue, but also creates practical considerations for organisations seeking to

New US tariffs (who knows where things will land) could well increase material costs and delay supply chains across the UK and Scottish construction sectors. Add to that investor uncertainty and currency fluctuations, and the risks are clear, writes Jennifer Young. Now’s the time to revisit co

I recently had the opportunity to visit the Titanic Wales Exhibition and found myself being filled with a mixture of curiosity and solemnity as I checked in and made my way to the exhibition room, writes Christina Watts of the Intellectual Property Office. Upon arrival, I received a lifelike ‘

Following the Scottish government’s response to the Grenfell Inquiry report, Caroline Maciver highlights the implications so far for the sector and calls for more clarity to help it progress under the new regulatory regime.  Last month, Holyrood’s housing minister Paul McLennan upda

On the anniversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belsen, Gillian Mawdsley writes about the trial that ensued. One significant date for the British forces arose on 15th April 1945, 80 years ago with the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. That was the camp from which British troops sent bac

At the 2025 Global Infrastructure Investment Summit in Berlin, the key theme was the transition to a net-zero economy through energy and infrastructure innovation. But what does this mean through a Scottish lens? David Young explains. This theme aligns with Scotland's ambitions for sustainable econo

Advocate Michael Upton FCI Arb analyses Vodafone Ltd v Icon Tower Infrastructure Ltd [2025] UKUT 58. The ‘new’ Electronic Communications Code came into force at the end of 2017. It is a schedule to the Communications Act 2003. It governs telecoms masts and other ‘electronic communi