MSHB

Following the breakdown of a marriage or civil partnership in Scotland, spouses have an obligation to support each other financially, based on what is reasonable in the circumstances. This form of financial support is known as aliment. Aliment is only payable whilst parties are still married or in a civil partnership. Once decree of divorce, or dis

Following the tragedy at Grenfell Tower in London, the UK government have made it a priority to address the issue of unsafe cladding on residential units. In response, the government have announced that it would introduce a new tax levy in 2022 on the profits which large residential property developers make from UK residential development. Housing

On 24 September 2021 the Government announced that there would be changes to the current laws on staff tips based on its findings from the Consultation on Tipping, Gratuities, Cover and Service Charges in 2016 (All tips to go to staff under government plans to enhance rights of 2 million workers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). When the legislation comes int

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Siobhan Kelly as a consultant and head of our Family Law department. Bringing over 25 years’ experience in family law and 33 years as a solicitor, Siobhan has conducted many high-value financial provision divorce and breakdown of cohabitation cases across Scotland. This appointment will bolster our ongo

Solicitors, David Phinn, who works in the Litigation team, Katie Cabrey, who works in the Commercial Property department and Laura MacSporran, who works in the Employment Law department are delighted to represent the firm at this year’s online event, which takes place on Friday, 8th October from 9am to 5pm. The Celebrating Inclusion Event and Law F

The rise of flexible working born out of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant reduction in the number of people attending offices daily- a cultural change likely to endure to some degree. The result is that many offices, or at least parts thereof, have been left redundant and are generating unnecessary overheads. The surplus of space has

It has been quite a wait since it was recommended by Sheriff Principal Taylor in his 2013  Review of Expenses and Funding of Civil Litigation in Scotland – but cost shifting has finally arrived. For actions raised after 30 June 2021, new rules have been introduced which mean that the usual rule that “expenses follow success” will not necessari

“New legislation protects Scottish shop staff from customer abuse.” That headline on the BBC’s website is typical of the skewed media slant on the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021 which came into force on 24 August. The new measures were brought forward as a private members’ Bill by Labou

Later this month, subject to Parliamentary approval, vaccine certification will be required for admission to: nightclubs and adult entertainment venues;unseated indoor live events, with more than 500 people in the audience;unseated outdoor live events, with more than 4,000 people in the audience; andany event, of any nature, which has more than 10,

As the UK’s vaccination programme continues and the threat posed by Covid-19 subsides, the Scottish Government has begun rolling back the emergency legislation previously enacted to deal with the pandemic. Most notably, almost all remaining legal restrictions on social distancing have been lifted. However, some parts of the two main pieces of non-p

The breakdown of a relationship, whether parties are married, in a civil partnership or a cohabiting couple is a very challenging time for all involved.  All parties must consider the financial implications of their separation and how the arrangements in respect of the children will be affected.  There are significant legal consequences w

While the pandemic is not yet over, the lifting of the majority of restrictions across the UK means a return to closer to normal than we have been used to for some time. In this article we look at implications for employment and the workplace, including the ending of the furlough scheme, returning to the workplace and the future of ‘hybrid working’