Number of First Time Buyers Reached Four Year High Last Year

New figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders in Scotland report that the number of first time buyers in Scotland rose to the largest annual total in four years.

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ABI publishes whiplash proposals

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has published details of proposed changes to the way whiplash claims are handled.

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InterAction meeting on historic abuse

The Scottish Human Rights Commission and CELCIS (Centre of Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland, University of Strathclyde) have hosted an InterAction event in Glasgow.

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Doctors’ working hours pose risk to patients

Patients’ safety and wellbeing could be at risk because the working patterns of doctors in training are leaving them too tired and stressed. These are the worrying findings of a recent study commissioned by the General Medical Council (GMC).

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Fine for company after workers flee whisky fire

A major scotch whisky manufacturer has been fined after two workers had to flee a warehouse fire.

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Accountant in bankruptcy revises reform proposals

Following consultations the Accountant in Bankruptcy (AIB) has announced changes to the proposed reforms of Scotland’s bankruptcy laws.

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Reform of Stamp Duty Land Tax for Scotland

The Scottish Governments has introduced the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Scotland) Bill which is set to replace the current Stamp Duty Land Tax system currently operating in Scotland on land and property transactions.

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Blinded ball spotter sues for damages

A golf competition ball spotter who was blinded in one eye after being struck by a golf ball is suing the professional golfer who struck the ball, reports the BBC.

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Governments consult over setting the discount rate

The Ministry of Justice, the Scottish Government and the Department of Justice, Northern Ireland have jointly launched a consultation exercise over how the discount rate for personal injury compensation should be set.

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Government Consultation on Early Conciliation

The Government is consulting at the moment (and until 15th February) about their proposals for compulsory early conciliation efforts by claimants, whereby they will have to notify ACAS of intended tribunal claim in advance of lodging it.

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Clinical Negligence during pregnancy

Scotland has one of the highest perinatal mortality rates in Europe.  Between January 2009 and June 2011 the NHS in Scotland paid out over £70,000,000 in damages in relation to negligence resulting in stillbirths and babies born with disabilities.  

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Impending changes to Collective Redundancy Consultation

The Government have issued a draft set of regulations (The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (Amendment) Order 2013) intended to come into force on 6th April which affect any proposal to make at least 20 employees collectively redundant from that date on.

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IAM comment on latest road casualty statistics

The latest Department for Transport road casualty statistics show an increase in casualties for vulnerable road users.

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Crown Censure for MOD

The death of a 14-year-old army cadet has led to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) receiving an HSE Crown Censure.

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Compensation awarded for clinical trial death

The family of a man who died while taking part in a clinical trial has been awarded an undisclosed amount in compensation, reports Orange News.

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Decrease reported in the average price of homes in Scotland - Update from our Property Lawyers

Registers of Scotland have reported that the average price of a home in Scotland has dropped by 1.5% compared to the same period a year ago.

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The Partnerships (Prosecution) Bill - Update from our commercial lawyers


The Partnerships (Prosecution) (Scotland) Bill is set to be considered by the House of Lords this week.  The Bill is designed to close the loophole allowing partnerships to evade prosecution by dissolving.

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NHS Trust fined over patient death

An NHS Foundation Trust has been sentenced for safety failings after a vulnerable patient died following a fall from a first floor window of a hospital in Gillingham.

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Compensation agreed for fatal car crash

Car manufacturer Toyota has agreed to pay compensation to the family of an American couple who died when their Toyota Camry hit a wall, reports the BBC.

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HSE inspections help ensure worker safety

A recent study from Stirling University has highlighted the importance of unannounced HSE inspections to workplace safety.

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