News & Legal Updates

Most people would agree that Daleks are dangerous things to have around. Their psychotic hatred of anything that isn’t another Dalek rules them off most people’s Xmas party lists, and you certainly wouldn’t want them in the workplace, not even in the HR department, where exterminations are sometimes necessary. But actually, most people are being … Continue reading "Daleks – a Danger in the Workplace?"

If someone were to pose the question “Who would look after you, if you were no longer capable of looking after yourself?” you would more than likely answer that it would be your spouse, your partner, your parents, your sibling, your child, whoever your next of kin may be, it would of course be them. … Continue reading "Common Misconceptions Relating to Powers of Attorney"

In a society with a rapidly ageing population, the benefit of Power of Attorney (POA) is gradually being understood. In granting power of attorney, an individual gives someone else (usually a spouse, adult child or sibling) the legal right to act on their behalf should they become mentally and/or physically incapacitated through accident or illness. … Continue reading "Power of Attorney Not Just For The Aged"

Many will have read about a new Inheritance Tax (IHT) allowance that was announced in the Chancellor’s Summer Budget.  This is the Family Home Allowance (“FHA”), designed to allow more people to pass on their family home to their descendants without paying IHT.  Though the main impetus seems to have been to lessen the disproportionate … Continue reading "The New Family Home Allowance: 6 Things You Need to Know"

The Blackadders Rural Land and Business team are taking part in the RSABI Great Glen Challenge.  RSABI is a charity that provides financial assistance, support and advice in confidence to those people who have worked in Scotland in land-based occupations and who are suffering hardship.  Every year RSABI helps hundreds of people with backgrounds in … Continue reading "Blackadders Busy Bees – Making “Honey” for RSABI"

As the holiday season comes round again, and thousands of people pack their sunglasses and shorts to depart for the magical climes of Ibiza and Lanzarote, personal injury lawyers watch from behind their net curtains, secure in the knowledge that a lot of these happy holidaymakers will come back home injured. Summer Holiday Chaos  A … Continue reading "Burst Packages: Travel safe this summer!"

Blackadders Solicitors announces the appointment of Susan McFadyen as a director in the firm’s corporate and commercial team.  Having worked as a partner in a large Edinburgh law firm for several years, Susan will be based primarily at Blackadders’ Dundee office, while also serving business clients from the firm’s offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Perth. … Continue reading "Susan McFadyen joins Blackadders"

Respected Angus legal firm Marjory MacDonald Solicitors is to merge with leading law firm, Blackadders LLP on 22 May 2015.  The merged practice will have 24 partners and over 240 staff and will trade under the Blackadders banner. The firm will offer a full service capability for business and private clients, acting for household name … Continue reading "Marjory MacDonald Solicitors to merge with Blackadders LLP"

For many years now the law has been quite clear that pavements running along the sides of roads are safe places.  If a pedestrian is on the pavement and is hit by a passing vehicle, the driver is always 100% to blame, and the pedestrian is never at fault.  Neither can the driver argue that … Continue reading "Where the road ends…and the pavement begins"

Background: In November 2014 I published an article considering the Scottish Government’s initial consultation which aimed to develop and modernise Scottish Tenancy Law. The article concluded that whilst the purpose of the proposed changes was laudable, there were several aspects that required greater consideration. The Scottish Government has since issued fresh proposals in March 2015, … Continue reading "Scottish Government issue second version of proposed changes to Tenancy Law"