Knowledge


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4 July 2022

A collateral warranty can be a construction contract – adjudication award enforced

Contributor: Iain Drummond

Iain Drummond considers the recent decision in Abbey Healthcare (Mill Hill) Ltd v Simply Construct (UK) LLP that a collateral warranty was a construction contract that applied retrospectively, therefore an adjudication award applied to the dispute under the warranty and was enforceable.

4 July 2022

Standstill agreements – a new option for Scottish disputes

Contributor: Iain Drummond

New legislation allows parties to enter into a contractual agreement to extend the prescriptive period by one year, granting them further time to try to resolve disputes before raising costly and time-consuming court proceedings.

27 June 2022

Tenancies can be passed on without involving landlord

Contributor: Hamish Lean

Hamish Lean, Partner and Head of Rural Property, discusses how secure agricultural tenants can sell their interests without involving the landlord. 

24 June 2022

Cost of living crisis – Top tax saving tips

Contributor: Heather Bird

In this tough economic climate, Heather Bird, Senior Associate in our private wealth and tax team, offers tax saving tips that could considerably impact your tax bill.

21 June 2022

Dorothy the turkey, veganism and the Equality Act 2010

Contributor: Deborah Miller

With reference to a recent case, Deborah Miller explores whether veganism is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

8 June 2022

The future is now – getting in gear for the pensions dashboard

Contributor: Andrew Holehouse

Pensions dashboards are set to make their long-awaited debut as early as next year – and getting ready to connect could be no small task. Find out what this means for schemes in brief here.

8 June 2022

A quick guide to discretionary death benefits

Contributor: Kirsty Headden

Our pensions team provide a quick guide to discretionary death benefits, which covers key points to investigate when dealing with member deaths. From checking scheme rules to unpicking complex family situations, we highlight potential pitfalls and offer solutions to the most common problems.

1 June 2022

Transforming public procurement – draft Procurement Bill published

Contributor: Euan Murray

Euan Murray discusses the UK Government’s recently published draft Procurement Bill, and the changes it has introduced to the current legislation.  

25 May 2022

Clean energy leaders meet to power decarbonisation at All-Energy

Contributor: Clare Foster

All-Energy 2022, held at the SECC in Glasgow on 11-12 May, was the first time the UK’s largest low carbon energy and full supply chain renewables event had been held since COP26. We reflect on the key takeaways from the sessions chaired by our clean energy lawyers on mobilising finance for decarbonisation projects, and the future of offshore wind.

20 May 2022

Challenging times ahead for UK businesses and their directors

Contributor: Suzanne Knowles

Suzanne Knowles discusses the challenges facing business directors, and Shepherd and Wedderburn’s collaboration with Care first, a leading wellbeing services provider, to give the company directors we work with free access to a wellbeing assistance programme.

20 May 2022

Five essential steps to prepare your business for sale

Contributor: Keir Willox

Keir Willox sets out the five key points you should consider when preparing your business for sale, helping you maximise the price and avoid any legal pitfalls.

9 May 2022

How will Ed Sheeran’s copyright infringement win impact the music industry?

Contributor: Joseph Fitzgibbon

Joe Fitzgibbon discusses a recent High Court copyright infringement case involving Ed Sheeran, and considers the wider implications for the music industry. 

9 May 2022

Fair opportunity to comment – Van Oord UK Ltd v Dragados UK Ltd

Contributor: Iain Drummond

Iain Drummond considers the recent decision in Van Oord UK Ltd v Dragados UK Ltd and the importance of an adjudicator allowing both parties fair opportunity to comment on points considered significant by the adjudicator, which the parties were not aware of or did not argue.

3 May 2022

How ESG credentials are gaining relevance in business restructuring

Contributor: Fiona McKerrell

As environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations become increasingly important for businesses, Fiona McKerrell, discusses why having strong ESG credentials can be essential for organisations in their restructuring strategy.

2 May 2022

Losing farmland to carbon investment has its dangers

Contributor: Hamish Lean

Hamish Lean discusses how the afforestation of farmland by carbon investors could be damaging to the agricultural industry.

27 April 2022

What are the consequences when an organisation gets ESG wrong?

Contributor: John MacKenzie

John MacKenzie discusses the potential legal consequences organisations could face if they don’t ensure they are complying with their ESG responsibilities. 

22 April 2022

The Oscar for best (souvenir) plot goes to…

Contributor: Alexandra Lane

With reference to Scots law, Alexandra Lane discusses a misleading gift contained in this year’s infamous “Everyone Wins” goody bag.

20 April 2022

Swift policy changes vital to offshore wind goals

Contributor: Scott McCallum

Scott McCallum discusses the UK Government’s offshore wind ambitions set out in the recently published British energy security strategy, and the policy changes required to achieve these targets. 

13 April 2022

The Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land

Contributor: Hamish Lean

A new register intended to improve transparency of ownership and overall control of land and buildings became operational on 1 April, 2022. Who does it apply to and what does it mean for farming businesses?

7 April 2022

Forestry and agriculture need not be at loggerheads

Contributor: Hamish Lean

Hamish Lean, Partner and Head of Rural Property, outlines how both landowners and agricultural tenants can benefit from creating woodlands on unproductive land.

7 April 2022

Succession in family business: a balancing act

Contributor: Susie Tweedie

Susie Tweedie discusses the options available to family businesses who are considering their succession planning strategy.

1 April 2022

UK Government announces broad reforms to the UK prospectus regime

Contributor: Stephen Trombala

Stephen Trombala and Tom Swan discuss a recent review outcome published by HM Treasury setting out intended reforms to the UK prospectus regime.

25 March 2022

Food security task force must deliver the goods

Contributor: George Frier

George Frier discusses the Scottish Government’s introduction of a food security task force, and why this measure is essential following the conflict in Ukraine.

25 March 2022

Managing health and safety risks in the agricultural sector

Contributor: Hamish Lean

With reference to two recent cases, Kevin Clancy discusses what steps landowners and employers should take to ensure health and safety compliance in the agricultural sector.