From festive forest walks to renewable energy projects: Legal considerations for diversified rural businesses in Scotland
For many Scottish estates and farms, seasonal attractions are no longer simply community events. Pumpkin patches, Christmas light trails, festive forest walks, winter markets and food and experiences have become...
Martyn’s Law: New SIA Notification Requirements Explained
Although the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 (Martyn’s Law) is not yet in force, the Home Office has published guidance on the notification requirements that will apply once the...
Autumn Budget 2026: Could Historic CGT reliefs return?
As the Autumn Budget 2026 approaches, Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is again attracting political and professional attention. With the pressure on public finances continuing, wealth taxes may be presented to...
Back to Basics: SBCC Contracts: Relevant Events and Relevant Matters
A standard form construction contract is a map intended to provide employers and contractors with all the information to guide them to their destination: a completed construction project. This includes...
Incidental contracts: WhatsApp with that?
Businesses increasingly rely on messaging apps to communicate, often without considering the potential legal weight these apparently casual exchanges can carry. A quick “yes” or “sounds good” – or even...
Trustees without ties: Why independence matters
Many professionals in the legal, tax and financial planning sectors are now involved in the “Great Wealth Transfer”. With that comes a growing set of challenges. As more practitioners advise...
Scottish Government publishes indicative rates for the Scottish Building Safety Levy
Scottish Government publishes indicative rates for the Scottish Building Safety Levy, helping developers prepare ahead of its launch in April 2028. The Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Act 2026 was passed...
The most important AI skill for junior lawyers is knowing when to disagree
Earlier this summer, an article in the Guardian asked who should be responsible when doctors rely on AI tools that contribute to mistakes. Although the article focused on medicine, it’s...
Anderson Strathern secures multiple lots in Government framework win
Independent law firm Anderson Strathern has been named as a supplier on six lots of Government Commercial Agency’s (GCA) new RM6374 Legal Panel for Public Sector framework. The firm, which...
Live-in carers and nannies: the pitfalls families should not overlook
As more families look to arrange care at home for children, elderly relatives or family members with additional needs, live-in carers and nannies are becoming an increasingly common solution. Social...
Awaab’s Law in Scotland: Practical guidance for private landlords
In December 2020, two-year-old Awaab Ishak died from a respiratory condition caused by exposure to black mould in the flat his family were living in. His death triggered widespread reform...
TCC Reinforces Strict Approach to Payment Provisions
The recent Technology and Construction Court decision in Deerns UK Limited v VDC LHR11 Limited [2026] EWHC 1509 (TCC) serves as a timely reminder of the importance of carefully drafted...
Turnover rent leases: key considerations before heads of terms are agreed
Turnover rent leases can offer welcome flexibility in a challenging retail market, but they also create real scope for dispute if the parties do not agree at the outset what...
Strong growth continues as pre-tax profit rises 18%
Anderson Strathern has posted a profit before tax of £11.38m, up 18% year-on-year. The Edinburgh-headquartered law firm’s results for the year ended 31 March 2026 also showed turnover rising by...
People-first approach puts Anderson Strathern in the running for UK Employer of the Year
Anderson Strathern has been named as a finalist for UK Employer of the Year at the Investors in People Awards 2026. The independent firm, which has almost 400 employees across...
Avoiding rising employment costs: Key considerations for estates
Rising employment costs and an increasingly complex employment law landscape are putting pressure on rural estates and land-based businesses. Higher wage costs, increased National Insurance contributions and employment law revisions...
Finance Act 2026: Offshore ownership no longer shields agricultural land from Inheritance Tax
The end of a long-standing Inheritance Tax planning route Since 6 April 2026, offshore ownership no longer offers the same tax protection for UK agricultural land. Previously, offshore structures offered...
Until death do us part? The Inheritance Tax benefits of tying the knot may be greater than you think.
Comedian Ricky Gervais famously revealed that he saw no point in marriage, however, after over 40 years of being together, he recently revealed that he and his partner, Jane Fallon,...
Electric vehicle charge point leases: 8 practical steps for commercial property owners and developers
The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) is reshaping the UK commercial property market. Demand for charging points is increasing across retail parks, supermarkets, hotels, business parks and mixed-use developments....
Could Scotland’s “mansion tax” affect rural properties?
For many rural landowners, the phrase “mansion tax” may sound like a policy aimed at city townhouses or large suburban homes. In practice, Scotland’s proposed high-value council tax bands could...
Scotland’s Green Data Centre Charter: A framework for sustainable growth
As demand for cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital services continues to surge, data centres have become critical infrastructure underpinning modern economies. Recognising both their economic importance and their environmental...
Getting value for your farmland: Clawback and overage
If you own land and are thinking about selling to a house builder or another kind of developer, the terms clawback and overage will probably be raised. The idea behind...
Private Client team celebrates major win at Scottish Legal Awards
Anderson Strathern’s Private Client team has been named Private Client Team of the Year at the 2026 Scottish Legal Awards. The award recognises the team’s outstanding performance over the past...
Top-ranked immigration lawyer joins Anderson Strathern as firm continues to invest in talent
Independent Scottish law firm Anderson Strathern has appointed leading immigration lawyer Jamie Kerr as partner, alongside 20 new trainee and newly qualified solicitor appointments across the firm this autumn. Jamie,...
Why your generosity could be a tax liability
April saw a host of changes to inheritance tax (IHT) in Britain. So divisive were they that it was hard to avoid the headlines, among them being business and agricultural...
Reality TV, employee status and the risks of reliance on contractual labels
Recent allegations involving reality TV shows such as Married at First Sight have raised questions about both about participant welfare and employment rights. The golden age of UK reality TV...
No one knows what’s coming down the road – so why are so few of us protecting our future selves?
Over the years, popular culture has brought questions of control and decision-making into the public domain, with the likes of the high-stakes drama of family authority depicted in Succession and...
Anderson Strathern reinforces commitment to Orkney with move to new Kirkwall office
Independent Scottish law firm Anderson Strathern has relocated its Orkney team to new premises in the heart of Kirkwall, marking the next phase of its investment in the Northern Isles....
Leading law firm continues winning streak on sports and leisure deals
Anderson Strathern’s commercial property team has played a key role in Northwind Leisure Golf’s appointment as operating partner for the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews’ (R&A) community-based...
Trade Union access rights: Are employers ready for the new regime?
Employer obligations towards trade unions are set to change significantly later this year. The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 will soon have a new statutory trade...