Official Opening of Aberdeen’s New Court
Last week saw the official opening of Aberdeen’s Civil Justice Centre and Commercial Court, in a ceremony that was attended by Scotland’s most senior judge, the Lord President and the Cabinet Secretary of Justice Kenny MacAskill MSP. The new court is located in the building previously occupied by the Justice of the Peace Court. According […]
Reforming Insurance Contract Law
A bill has been introduced to the UK Parliament that will update the 100-year-old rules governing contracts between businesses and insurers. According to the UK Government, the Insurance Bill will introduce a more modern legal regime that will benefit both insurers and their business customers by increasing transparency and certainty over the rules that govern […]
Increase in Private Sector Evictions
There has been a 38% increase in issues caused by people without rent arrears being threatened with eviction from a private sector rented home, the Citizens Advice has said. If they are evicted, tenants have no choice but to find hundreds of pounds for a deposit and advance rent plus an average of £350 in […]
Consumer Protection Guidance for Lettings Industry
In a move that could help to reduce the number of disputes in the property letting sector, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published guidance for lettings professionals to help improve their understanding of, and compliance with, consumer protection law. The guidance follows the publication last year of a wide-ranging report into the lettings […]
Government Publishes Response to Taylor Review
The Scottish Government has recently published its response to Sheriff Principal Taylor’s review on the expenses and funding of litigation, in which it sets out plans to introduce legislation that it says will create an accessible, affordable and equitable civil justice system for Scotland. The Review was commissioned in March 2011 by the then Minister […]
Councils Vary in High Hedge Application Fees
There is a big difference in the level of fees being charged by councils for processing applications made by residents under the High Hedges (Scotland) Act, the Herald has reported. The Act came into force on 1st April this year, and was intended to provide a solution to disputes between neighbours over hedges which grow […]
New Bill Proposes Changes to Scots Contract Law
A new Bill to simplify contract law in Scotland has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament. The Legal Writings (Counterparts and Delivery) (Scotland) Bill is based on recommendations contained in a Scottish Law Commission report, and will make two major innovations to Scots law and practice. The Bill will clarify that a document which is […]
Courts Reform Bill Comes Under Parliamentary Scrutiny
The Scottish Government’s Courts Reform (Scotland) Bill has recently been scrutinised by members of the Parliament’s Justice Committee, who have now published a report questioning some of the key provisions of the Bill. In the report, the Committee has said that it welcomes the general principles of the Bill, but is concerned about Government proposals […]
“Bedroom Tax” Legal Challenge
Human rights organisation Liberty has announced that it has been granted permission to bring a Judicial Review of the Government’s controversial “bedroom tax”, based on the policy’s impact on separated families with shared custody of children. The scheme cuts parents’ Housing Benefit if they have a ‘spare room’, even if that room is used by […]
Housing Bill continues progress through Parliament
The Scottish Government’s Housing (Scotland) Bill has recently been through its Stage 1 debate at the Scottish Parliament. During the debate, Housing Minister Margaret Burgess confirmed that the Government will amend the notice period for Right to Buy from three to two years after the date the Bill receives Royal Assent. The Bill, which was […]
