Blogs & opinions

Attempt to challenge arbitration ruling misconceived
Lesson for party litigants in failed action for payment

Power and accountability
New Parliament should bring a new approach to the Holyrood committee system

Letter: through to the bench
Readers asked whether sheriffs should be available by phone to discuss routine issues in a case

Mission to make new lawyers' views heard
Q&A with Ayla Skene, solicitor at Pinsent Masons in Glasgow, who has just been co-opted as the new lawyers’ representative on the Society's Council

In-house support for in-house solicitors
With the launch of the new guide for in-house solicitors earlier this month, we thought it was high time we got Beth Anderson, the Society’s Head of Member Engagement for In-House Lawyers, on the blog

The mind matters
It is time the profession took much more seriously the issue of stress, especially as it affects younger lawyers

LBTT 3% supplement: the house movers' hurdle
Beware the effect where a purchase completes ahead of a sale

Sasine Register closed to standard securities
Borrowers gain advantage from voluntary registration

Community rights to buy extend across country
Potential for compulsory sales also in the pipeline

PSG moves into residential documents
Range of dispositions now available in style form

Succession Act brings in the divorce effect
[Provisions for spouses to be revoked on divorce or annulment]

Landlords fear and tenants hope as Housing Bill passes
New type of private tenancy will give enhanced security

Digital signatures for residential leases?
These are possible, but there are points to bear in mind

Eviction appeals are not second chances
Sheriff principal criticises “speculative and woolly” grounds

What happens when only one joint tenant leaves?
Advice for landlords on how to proceed

New code of conduct goes with letting agent registration
Standard of conduct set, to apply from 2018

First impressions
Olivia Parker, careers and outreach executive and recent addition to the Law Society of Scotland’s Education, Training & Qualifications team, tells of her experience of the Society so far

Summary decree refused despite defender's conviction
Court not persuaded of correlation with civil liability

Counsel in the sheriff court: reasonable to instruct?
Two contested cases affirm decision to bring in counsel

Court sets out place of health and safety duties
Statutory duties can inform common law duty of care

Vicarious liability: a Supreme Court double header
Two cases set out relevant factors to consider

"Easter 2016"
A Brussels lawyer's plea on how to achieve peace and tolerance in the wake of the terrorist attacks

Sheriff principal wrong to overturn refusal of contact
Case should in any event have been reheard of new

Pre-cohabitation payment can be factor in financial claim
Ultimate basis of fairness should mean sheriff has discretion