News & Legal Updates

You may have missed the latest celebrity courtroom drama between movie star Uma Thurman and her former partner, billionaire financier Arpad Busson. The case received relatively little publicity in the press here which is unfortunate because their dispute has highlighted issues which are regularly  faced by separating families and family lawyers. Thurman and Busson went … Continue reading "‘Be Cool’ parents: Uma Thurman and ex-fiancé end custody dispute over 4 year old daughter"

Valentines’ Day – loved by some, loathed by others. Our Family Law team certainly enjoyed it earlier this week! As did florists across the land. It’s only a day after all – or is it? A recent study claimed that people who got married on so called gimmick days – such as Valentine’s Day – … Continue reading "Does Getting Married on a “Gimmick Day” Mean You Will End Up Divorced?"

The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 came into force on 30 November 2016 and with it the new Act of Sederunt (Sheriff Court Bankruptcy Rules) 2016. These rules apply to any sequestrations for which the petition is presented, or the debtor application is made, on or after that date. The new legislation aims to codify and … Continue reading "New Bankruptcy Court Rules Come Into Force"

It’s midway through January and many of us are trying to stick to our latest New Year resolution. Our household has finally consumed the mountain of cheese and biscuits and our attention has now turned to getting fit (again!), eating healthily (again!) and cutting out the wine (well maybe just one on a Saturday night…!). … Continue reading "3 New Year Resolutions You Should Try To Stick To This Year!"

Christmas is a time for giving and there are several ways to make over cash or assets to someone as efficiently as possible when it comes to inheritance tax (IHT). IHT is only currently payable on any portion of your estate that is above a threshold of £325,000, and is charged at 40%, however this … Continue reading "5 ways to reduce your Inheritance tax bill this Christmas!"

I recently made my first ever court appearance.  It was not a “You Can’t Handle The Truth” moment, nor was it a “Razzle Dazzle ‘Em” performance.  However it was certainly an experience I won’t regret.  Whilst I have found that some trainees can’t wait to don their gown and stand before a Sheriff for the … Continue reading "‘Court Appeal’: My top four tips on making your first court appearance"

Scottish law firm Blackadders has continued its expansion in the west of Scotland by recruiting an experienced commercial property adviser to its Glasgow base. John McKie, who will join Blackadders as a partner on December 5th, is the latest addition to the firm’s presence in Scotland’s largest city. John was previously a senior associate in … Continue reading "Commercial Property specialist joins solicitors’ growing Glasgow office"

As a fan of horror films, this is a time of year that I always enjoy: the TV schedules are filled with marathons of blood-curdling, bone-chilling classics.  As a solicitor regularly advising on Wills and estate-planning issues, this gives me a rare excuse to combine these deathly interests. “Succession planning” is the way in which … Continue reading "Wills & Thrills: 3 succession planning scares to avoid!"

It’s Festival time in Edinburgh and the mainstream theatres are packed, with all the drama – so far – being confined to the stage. Not so in London, where the hiring of major stars of film and television to take the leading roles in some West End productions has been compromised by an all-too-frequent incidence … Continue reading "Patrons’ rights if the show goes on without its star"

Between dressing up in long black gowns and uttering bizarre Latin phrases that make no sense to anyone but themselves, lawyers and would-be witches and wizards have much in common. It is therefore unsurprising that I, like many of my colleagues, have been eagerly anticipating the release of the next Harry Potter book this summer. … Continue reading "Harry Potter and the School of Legal Pitfalls"