Knowledge


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23 September 2024

Dynamic pricing: Can hospitality providers cancel bookings to benefit from surging prices?

Contributor: Andrew Buchan

The recent announcement of Oasis reuniting after 15 years apart generated significant excitement from fans worldwide. However, reports of surge pricing and cancelled accommodation left many fans looking back in anger. Andrew Buchan explains dynamic pricing from a legal perspective ahead of the 2025 reunion tour.

19 September 2024

Land Reform Scotland Bill 2024: Changes to the Leasing of Land

Contributor: Katie McNab

The Land Reform Scotland Bill 2024 places significant emphasis on land leasing, aiming to broaden the role of the Tenant Farming Commissioner and establish a model environmental lease to encourage sustainable land utilisation. Katie McNab and Madeleine Gill explore the key proposals.

17 September 2024

Scottish Government Issue Update to Short-Term Lets Licensing Scheme (August 2024)

Contributor: Kevin Clancy

On 30 August 2024, The Scottish Government amended existing short-term lets legislation in Scotland, meaning a licence is required for what is known as home sharing, home letting and secondary letting – a summary of which can be found here.

13 September 2024

Procurement Act Delay

Contributors:
Euan Murray, Colin Bathgate

The government is postponing the coming into force of the Procurement Act 2023 to allow for a new NPPS to be prepared.

11 September 2024

AI in the food and drink sector – opportunities and challenges

Contributors:
Joseph Fitzgibbon, Ruairidh Leishman

The use of AI is becoming more prevalent in the food and drink sector, presenting both innovative opportunities and questions around unintended consequences. To keep pace with these developments, businesses should consider whether they have the knowledge and resources to lawfully implement AI. 

10 September 2024

Charging for single-use disposable beverage cups in Scotland creeps closer

Contributor: Natasha Durkin

The Scottish Government’s consultation on the introduction of a single-use beverage cup charge is now open. Natasha Durkin outlines the proposed changes and explores potential issues. A shortened version of this article was published in The Scotsman.  

9 September 2024

Are executry disputes rising in Scotland?

Contributor: Stephanie Hepburn

A recent survey by Will Aid found that 59% of people in Scotland do not have a will. While it may be daunting to think about death, a lack of a will, or a current will that reflects your wishes, can lead to executry disputes. 

6 September 2024

Autumn Budget: Should business owners act now?

Contributor: Heather Bird

Changes to tax rates including inheritance tax and business property relief are likely to be talking points in the upcoming Autumn Budget. Heather Bird discusses the possible changes and what steps business owners should be taking.

29 August 2024

Data audits – do you know what you hold?

Contributors:
Joanna Boag-Thomson, Joseph Fitzgibbon

Many businesses and organisations completed data audits as part of GDPR compliance programmes in 2018. There are benefits of reviewing and refreshing these audits, and the various accountability measures that were put in place as part of the GDPR programmes, to ensure that compliance reflects current business needs.

29 August 2024

Land Court rules in favour of tenant in agricultural improvement case

Contributor: Hamish Lean

Hamish Lean acted for Neil and Linsey Butler (the “tenant”) in their recent success in a case raised against their landlord, the Trustees of the Eighth Earl Cadogan’s 1961 Settlement Trust. The case concerned the tenant’s proposal to carry out an agricultural improvement, which was objected to by the landlord. 

29 August 2024

Arbitrator bias: Court applies the “fair-minded observer” test

Contributor: Iain Drummond

In the Aiteo Eastern E&P Co Ltd v Shell Western Supply and Trading Ltd case, there was held to be apparent bias on the part of an arbitrator.

26 August 2024

What does the Autumn Budget mean for taxation?

Contributor: Keith McLaren

The Autumn Budget is set for 30 October, the first under new Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Changes to Capital Gains Tax and Inheritance Tax are expected to be announced.

19 August 2024

Where are they now: Litigation funding and arbitration updates

Contributors:
Ben Pilbrow, Gabriella Gilmour

Due to the recent general election, there have been a number of changes to bills in progress in litigation funding and arbitration sectors. 

15 August 2024

The emerging role of Regenerative Agriculture

Contributor: Fiona Taylor

Regenerative agriculture is playing an increasingly important role for the food and drink sector, with several major manufacturers and producers championing related projects. Against that backdrop, Buffy Taylor explains the practice and its role in shaping a more sustainable future.

6 August 2024

Recovery of Evidence (Scotland) v Disclosure (England) – a tale of two countries

Contributor: Lindsay Robinson

In comparing the approaches in Scotland and England to the duty of disclosure in litigation, it’s clear that there are significant differences. Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions about which jurisdiction is most suitable for your litigation needs.

2 August 2024

No harm, no foul: draft guidance on the new UK consumer law enforcement regime

Contributor: Gordon Downie

Publication of the draft guidance on the new regime for direct enforcement of UK consumer law is an opportunity to consider the concept of consumer harm lying at the centre of the new enforcement regime.

2 August 2024

Protect your family’s future through estate planning

Contributor: Gillian Campbell

Individuals, families, and trustees must plan in order to protect their wealth and pass it down to the next generation. Learn how you can safeguard your family’s financial future with estate planning, as well as the benefits of liferent wills.First published in The Press and Journal. 

31 July 2024

The Court of Appeal’s decision on the patentability of computer-implemented AI inventions.

Contributor: Ruairidh Leishman

The Court of Appeal has determined that a computer-implemented AI invention fell within the “computer program” exclusion from patentable subject matter because the invention did not make a “technical contribution”. 

31 July 2024

Your questions answered: Overseas assets

Contributor: Flora Asplin

France’s unique succession rules highlight the importance of considering how your overseas assets will be dealt with after you die. There are rules you should know about and steps you may want to take to mitigate potentially unintended consequences.  

30 July 2024

Advising the next generation: How can I ensure gifts to my children keep on giving?

Contributor: Charlotte Fleming

Young beneficiaries can often be left not knowing how to handle their new-found cash sums but there are steps that parents and their children can take to protect their assets.

30 July 2024

Post-PACCAR and prorogation

Contributor: Philip Sewell

An update on the Litigation Funding Agreements (Enforceability) Bill and the consequential effect from the recent prorogation of Parliament and the general election.

25 July 2024

Understanding Occupiers’ Liability in the rural sector in Scotland

Contributors:
Emma De Sailly, Stephanie Hepburn

This Farm Safety Week we’re exploring occupiers’ liability, and the responsibilities of landowners and occupiers towards those on their land. 

25 July 2024

Your health and safety obligations towards seasonal workers

Contributor: Kevin Clancy

Learn how your business can protect seasonal workers in advance of and during work placements, as well as what to do if things go wrong.

24 July 2024

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill passes

Contributor: Robbie McElroy

The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. Robbie McElroy summarises what this development will mean for the hotels and hospitality sector.