News & Legal Updates

Alastair Johnston, a solicitor within Blackadders’ Dispute Resolution Department, considers the impact of the extension of Debt Arrangement Scheme protection to businesses. The Debt Arrangement Scheme (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2014 are partially in force and will be fully implemented in April of this year. These regulations will bring the increasingly popular Debt Arrangement Scheme (‘DAS’) … Continue reading "Debt Arrangement Scheme for business not fit for business purposes?"

When people are injured at their workplace due to unsafe premises or unsafe equipment, they could be forgiven for thinking that they have a fairly clear claim.  Often this is the case.  However, the statutory duties which employers have tend to be restricted to workplaces, and liability for faulty equipment is generally limited to “work … Continue reading "Pole-Axed, or, when is a person at work not at work?"

Blackadders are pleased to announce new lead partners for its offices in Edinburgh, Perth and Aberdeen. Fraser Hardie, has joined the firm to head up the firm’s Edinburgh office, working within the commercial property group. With vast experience in property and construction legal work, Fraser has served as a partner with four other major law … Continue reading "Blackadders Announces Four Senior Appointments"

In today’s world, if you think another person is planning to harm you, you might see your solicitor about it.  Your solicitor will probably say that the best way forward is to send a strongly-worded letter, warning the opponent to stay away.  If that does not work, you are likely to be advised to go … Continue reading "PROTECTION ORDERS, MEDIEVAL STYLE – ARE THE OLD CURES THE BEST?"

One of the most combustible political issues of the day in England at present is the dispute between the Fire Brigades Union and the government over pensions and fitness tests for older firefighters. North of the Border (and in Wales and Northern Ireland) the issue has been dampened down as a result of new proposals … Continue reading "Judge hoses down claim by Strathclyde Fire Brigade over limits to ‘duty’"

A Power of Attorney is a legally binding document which appoints a person or persons to make financial and/or welfare decisions on behalf of the granter when they are no longer capable of making those decisions themselves. Whilst clients have no qualms in making or updating a Will, when it comes to “Powers of Attorney” … Continue reading "5 reasons why you should make a Power of Attorney whilst you are young, fit and able"

Politicians like to propose legislation which is intended to “send a message.” Such legislation is sometimes well-intentioned, and sometimes merely designed to generate a few approving headlines, but the rhetoric is always the same. The bill, when passed, will “send a message” that such-and-such a thing had better stop. The snag is that such proposals … Continue reading "Do Shoot the Messenger"

The use of trusts as a means of protecting assets from care costs is a popular “Sunday papers” topic.  However, much of what is written comes from an English perspective.  Those based in Scotland need to be careful, as Scotland has its own legal system with its own unique trust laws.  Nonetheless, people on both … Continue reading "Asset Protection: The use of trusts in Scotland"

Leading Scottish Law Firm Blackadders, has agreed merger terms with companies in Edinburgh and Perth, bringing the number of offices operated to six and further strengthening its position as one of the fastest-expanding law firms in Scotland. The larger of the two takeovers involves Condies, which is based in Tay Street in Perth city centre. … Continue reading "Blackadders expands the brand further with acquisitions in Edinburgh and Perth"

Those of us brought up with buses find it easy to understand why older folks reminisced so much about the old tramway network whenever you hear the gentle but clear bell sounded by Edinburgh’s new generation of trams. Edinburgh’s citizens are rapidly getting used to trams despite a few teething troubles in the first two … Continue reading "Just like Edinburgh trams, families in dispute CAN get back on track"