News & Legal Updates

Professionals working in the field of Child Law are more than likely to have heard of the expression “parental alienation”. For some years now this concept, which some classify as a “syndrome”, has been used to describe the steps taken by one parent to isolate, or ‘alienate’, the other parent from the lives of the … Continue reading "Solving the Problem of Being Alienated From Your Kids"

Bear Payne. This is the name the media and fans have been eagerly awaiting on following the much anticipated arrival of Cheryl and Liam Payne’s baby boy in March. I remember agonising over baby name books trying to decide what to name our children and Bear’s arrival brought me back to the time when I … Continue reading "‘Bear’ Necessities – Why New Parents Should Make A Will"

Craft brewing and craft distilling is becoming big business.  A recent report by UHY Hacker Young claimed the sector was going through a period of “explosive creativity” and a quick look around the region shows Tayside is not immune to this booming market.  Across the UK, craft breweries have hit a record high with 520 … Continue reading "Time to get crafty about brand names?"

Recently Sheriff Mann at Banff Sheriff Court issued a judgement which he stated he came to “reluctantly because it is apparent to me that the defenders know that the pursuers are the creditors in the mortgage, even though they may not be secured creditors,…know that the debt must be repaid and yet have been able to … Continue reading "Lenders Beware the Statutory Forms"

Out with the old and in with the new – Corporate Insolvency As of today (Thursday 6th April 2017) the Insolvency (England & Wales) Rules 2016 come into force. The Rules introduce much needed significant reform and consolidation of the Insolvency Rules 1986. The 1986 Rules have been amended on numerous occasions and have increasingly … Continue reading "Out with the old, in with the new…(and almost in and out again, with the nearly new!)"

The waiting is almost over!  The new Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) for Inheritance Tax (IHT) that the Government announced in summer 2015 will come into play from 6 April 2017. The RNRB will allow more people to pass on their family home to their descendants without paying IHT.  It works by giving homeowners an … Continue reading "The new Residence Nil Rate Band: 6 Things You Need to Know"

National law firm Blackadders have appointed Susan McFadyen as a Partner in their Corporate & Commercial team. Susan joined Blackadders in May 2015 and has more than 15 years’ experience in Corporate & Commercial law, dealing with a wide range of matters including joint ventures, investment rounds and intellectual property. Susan also has significant experience … Continue reading "Blackadders announce promotions and claim prestigious awards"

The majority of people tend to assume that, through their Will, they have complete control over who will inherit their estate.  Accordingly, they are often surprised to find out that they actually live in a country that has laws of “forced heirship”, where a person’s children or spouse claims cannot be fully disinherited.  Scotland is … Continue reading "‘Ilot’ to think about: Legal rights and the ability to disinherit"

Mum A is with her children at home.  Mum B suddenly drops in with her children.  The kids all know each other and often play together.  Mum B asks if Mum A can look after all the kids for a couple of hours while Mum B goes off to deal with some emergency or other.  … Continue reading "“EE-AYE-EE-AYE-OUCH”: Big moo-stake for family after failing to look after neighbour’s child on their own farm"

In the film “The Dark Knight Rises” we return to Gotham to witness a dejected and disheartened Bruce Wayne with Wayne Enterprises Ltd on the verge of collapse. So where did it all go wrong for the premier corporation in Gotham? The root of the problem is that many directors, particularly sole directors, often believe … Continue reading "Bruce Wayne: The hero Gotham wants but not the director Wayne Enterprises Ltd needs?"