Blogs & opinions

Speaking out
The benefit sanctions system has drawn some unusually sharp comments from the Society, but the need for such strictures is likely to increase

GDPR alert for social landlords
Compliance duties extend beyond tenants and employees

Letting agency activity – do RSLs need to register?
Some arrangements within groups may affect legal requirements

Courts curb the leeway for party litigants
Two decisions limit ability to frustrate court process

Simple Procedure (Special Claims) Rules delayed till autumn
Drafters to take account of revisions to Core Rules

Does the Lobbying (Scotland) Act apply to housing associations?
Certain exemptions may enable them to avoid the regime

Letter: what do the money laundering rules achieve?
System of detection, not prevention, gives solicitors difficult choice

Letter: delay at the SLCC
Seven months for time bar case

After Windrush
The treatment of those of Caribbean origin shows a need for the law to be rebalanced

Instructing expert held not reasonable given issues in case
Sheriff accepts skill of witness, but not need for instruction

Child supervision duty breached in farm gate accident
Inner House holds Lord Ordinary entitled to find for pursuer

Vicarious liability for independent contractor held established
Beauty therapist akin to employee of salon, which exercised control

No precautions held necessary over stone in path
Occupier's liability case fails over likelihood of harm

New Scottish tax rates, bands and reliefs in force
Taxpayers' affairs become more complex with extra bands

Commissary and OPG fees about to rise
Inflation increases in force from 25 April

Styles agreed for confirmation declarations
Society and SCTS settle post-2016 Act forms

GDPR: check you are ready for May start date
Guidance issued on stronger personal data protection rules

Beneficiary distribution: best practice to check insolvency
A simple search could avoid making the wrong payout

Letter: belief in the soul
Is it right that a doctor's letter should be given less weight if not "on soul and conscience"?

Mind the gap
Do the Gender Pay Gap Regulations provide enough useful information to justify their approach?

Holiday pay: average over what period?
Strict 12 weeks in regulations preferred to annualised sum

Award limit annual increases about to come in
Inflation linked rises apply to claims lodged from 6 April

Is a change of care provider a TUPE transfer?
EAT refers important case back to new tribunal

Forty year old rule called into question?
Burchell test queried in Supreme Court, but no early threat