Practice
Managing Partner of Innovative Firm of the Year talks 35% profit bump and eyes Glasgow expansion
Independent Scottish law firm Thorntons, has achieved robust growth, with turnover increasing by 16% year on year as it continues to grow its legal services for business and life.
SPONSORED: Will Notice - Gordon Paterson Walker
Would anyone holding or knowing of a Will by Gordon Paterson Walker late of 2 Hawkhead Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire, PA1 3NA and who died on 29th July 2024 please contact Wright & Crawford Solicitors, 11 Glasgow Road, Paisley, PA1 3QS p.johnston@wright-crawford.co.uk or Tel: 0141 887 6211.
Public policy highlights January 2025 including Criminal Justice Modernisation and Abusive Behaviour Reviews (Scotland) Bill
Every month, the Law Society Policy Team and its network of committee volunteers respond to a variety of consultations and comment on a range of Bills, helping to shape good law for the benefit of its members and in the public interest.
SPONSORED: Will Notice - James Taylor
Would anyone holding or knowing of a Will by James Taylor late of 34 Sandringham Avenue, Newton Mearns, Glasgow, G77 5DU and who died on 6th November 2024 please contact Wright & Crawford Solicitors, 11 Glasgow Road, Paisley, PA1 3QS p.johnston@wright-crawford.co.uk or Tel: 0141 887 6211.a
Why Scottish Human Rights Commission is on a Highlands and Islands tour and how to join
Members of the Scottish Human Rights Commission and team members are travelling again to the Highlands and Islands in February and March 2025 to deliver a series of community empowerment events.
British Irish Commercial Bar Association Bursary Competition 2025
The BICBA bursary competition is open to barristers, advocates and solicitors of less than 7 years’ standing practising in England & Wales, Scotland, Ireland or Northern Ireland, and those undergoing training for qualification in those jurisdictions.
Why the modernisation matters and what's in Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Act 2023
Coming into force in April, the Moveable Transactions (Scotland) Act 2023 brings modernisation to moveable transactions, says Ahsan Mustafa.
Is it time to repeal the Tenancy of Shops (Scotland) Act 1949?
Scotland’s commercial property market has changed drastically since 1964. A lack of available commercial premises across urban areas is no longer a prevalent issue; rent does not appear to be at an unreasonable level and landlords no longer enjoy the strong negotiating powers that they once did. Having special legal rules for “shop leases” but not those used for other business purposes is now difficult to justify.
We are family - a guide to risk management for family solicitors
When it comes to managing risk, there are some pain points that can be more acute in certain practice areas. Here, Anna Forsyth and Matthew Thomson from Lockton shine the spotlight on family law.
SLAB trainee solicitors embark on new-look civil-criminal traineeships
SLAB’s Client Legal Services (CLS) Directorate have welcomed three trainee solicitors who will be the first intake to benefit from a new traineeship in both civil and criminal law.
Here are 7 keys issues lying ahead for employment law and hospitality in 2025 including unfair dismissal
With 2025 is set to be a pivotal year for employment law across the UK - including here in Scotland - employment law specialists Jillian McLaughlan and Debbie Fellows talk through seven key issues.
What are the key data protection law issues in 2025?
Significant changes to the data protection landscape are expected in 2025, thanks to the new Data (Use and Access) Bill, the renewal of the UK/EU adequacy decision and the possibility of new artificial intelligence legislation. It’s crucial to stay ahead of these shifts by considering their implications early.
Inside the gender gap in Scottish property ownership
Dr Temitope Omotola Odusanya explores historical and contemporary perspectives, and highlights the continuing struggle for equality in property ownership in Scotland.
From metal behemoths to agentic AI - what Scotland's legal sector can learn from bridging innovation
Dr Corsino San Miguel PhD, LLB - a member of the AI Research Group and the Public Sector AI Task Force at the Scottish Government Legal Directorate - considers Scotland's innovation past and what the profession can learn for the future.
Late conclusion of missives and conveyancing delays
As solicitors who work in residential conveyancing will no doubt be aware, it is not uncommon for missives to be concluded very close to the date of settlement, if not on the same day.
A year in employment law and hospitality
Looking through the lens of the hospitality sector, Thorntons’ Jillian McLaughlan and Debbie Fellows reflect on last year’s changes in employment law.
Master Policy brokerage tender
Are you aware of the opportunity to tender for the Law Society of Scotland brokerage and administration of the Master Policy 2027-2031?
Asylum and immigration in 2024
With practitioners already experiencing sector changes in 2025, it is beneficial to reflect on a selection of the multitude of immigration law and policy developments of 2024.
Intellectual Property - 2024 in review
The ongoing challenge of IP law, reconciling proprietary rights with the imperatives of free expression, innovation, and competition, manifested prominently in 2024, influencing everything from AI data ethics to retail supply chains.
2024: A look-back on data protection
Loretta Maxfield and Cara Collins review the major data protection changes in 2024, including new laws, ICO decisions, marketing, cookies, biometrics, and AI.
Neonatal care leave
The UK Government has made a new right to neonatal care leave and pay effective from 6 April 2025 and is expected to benefit around 60,000 new parents.
Risk management resolutions
Here are five suggestions for risk management resolutions for law firms in 2025, provided by Lockton.
Legal Aid Matters
Scotland’s legal aid system is under threat, and with access to justice being the cornerstone of a fair society something needs to be done. The Society are running a #LegalAidMatters campaign and you can show your support by adding your name to the ledger.