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...
Scotland’s EPC reforms may be delayed — but the direction of travel is clear
Energy performance remains a key issue for property owners, landlords and investors, particularly as regulatory approaches in Scotland and England continue to develop in different ways. Although Scotland’s planned EPC...
Anderson Strathern strengthens disputes team as demand for contentious estate advice grows in Scotland
We have appointed trusts and private wealth disputes specialist Sarah-Jane Macdonald as a partner within our Dispute Resolution team. Driven by financial pressures, changing attitudes within families and greater...
When a deal becomes a deal: What Scotland’s new Contract Law means for Northern Isles businesses
For businesses and community organisations across Orkney and Shetland, agreements are often made across distance: by email, over the phone, between Scottish mainland suppliers, island customers and partners further...
Payment Notices: Construction’s harshest lesson – and you’re paying for it
Cash flow is widely recognised as the lifeblood of the construction industry. The significance of preserving it continues to lead to disputes in relation to interim payments. The statutory provisions...
Back to Basics: Liquidated Damages
A liquidated damages clause is a powerful tool within a written construction contract. It can be thought of as a contractual Swiss army knife: it does a little bit...
From social media to staffrooms: How culture wars are creating new risks for employers
From conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine to debates over immigration, gender identity and social activism, some of the most divisive issues in public life are finding their...
A “Gilded Cage” revisited: What the new Cheshire West decision means for Scotland
For more than a decade, one of the most influential legal ideas in health and social care was captured in a simple phrase: “a gilded cage is still a...
Commercial Payments Bill: A retention headache?
The Commercial Payments Bill was introduced by the UK Government (initially named the Small Business Protections (Late Payments) Bill) in response to what many consider unfair payment practices. For...
Pensions and inheritance tax (IHT) from April 2027 – update
At the UK budget in October 2024, it was announced that most unused pension funds and death benefits would be brought into the IHT net. This represented a fundamental...
If I wasn’t here, what happens to the kids?
Most parents spend a lot of time thinking ahead – right now, you’re probably juggling booking clubs for the summer, planning childcare, saving for school trips, while also wondering...
Who gets what? Fair financial settlements on divorce in Scotland
A fair financial settlement in Scotland begins with a clear understanding of what counts as matrimonial property, because only matrimonial property is available for division. Matrimonial property includes assets...
Protecting your people in the heat: What Scottish employers need to know
Scotland isn’t known for extreme heat, but recent summers have shown how quickly conditions can change. Prolonged high temperatures can put both workers and customers at real risk, and...
Anderson Strathern appointed to support major cultural project in capital
Anderson Strathern will provide advice for a landmark project at the historic Royal High School on Edinburgh’s Calton Hill. The firm’s specialist teams will work closely with the National...
An expert guide to handling construction disputes
In his recent article, our colleague and construction disputes expert Ryan McCuaig explored how you can protect your business and avoid construction disputes. Ryan laid out steps contractors and...
Business rates – time is running out to challenge the 2026 revaluation
If you run a business, you may have recently received a revaluation notice fixing the rateable value of your property until 2029. The rateable value plays a significant role...
How AI is turning Data Subject Access Requests into a problem for SMEs
A data subject access request (DSAR) is a formal request made by an individual to an organisation, asking to see the personal data that the organisation holds about them....
Expanding horizons: Our English property capabilities for rural clients
For many rural clients, property interests do not stop at the Border. Through inheritance, investment, diversification or family arrangements, it is increasingly common for Scottish landowners, farmers and rural...
Managing seasonal workers in the wake of employment law reform
So far, much of the attention surrounding the Employment Rights Act 2025 (“ERA 2025”) has focused on proposals relating to unfair dismissal rights. While those reforms are undoubtedly important,...
Farming’s hidden dangers: reducing risk and preventing claims
The farming and agriculture industry is fundamental to everyday life. Farmers supply essential produce such as milk, eggs, and meat—items many of us rely on daily. However, what is...
A New Framework for Farming: Support, Succession and Structural Change
Landowners, tenants and farming businesses continue to operate against a backdrop of market volatility, environmental ambition and continued legislative reform. In practice, the challenge is no longer simply how...
The Contract (Formation and Remedies) (Scotland) Act 2026: A quick guide for English lawyers
The Contract (Formation and Remedies) (Scotland) Act 2026 represents the most significant statutory intervention in Scots contract law for many years. The legislation, which received Royal Assent on 14...
How construction businesses can protect themselves from disputes
Anderson Strathern regularly supports both contractors and employers on construction projects across the UK. In practice, most construction disputes that we see follow a familiar pattern. A project starts...
Scotland’s new Contract Act 2026: Key changes and action points for businesses
The Contract (Formation and Remedies) (Scotland) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 14 April 2026 and is designed to bring clearer, more modern rules on contract formation and remedies...
Heat networks brought into line as new UK-wide rules take effect
Heat networks, long seen as a key but under-regulated part of the UK’s low-carbon future, are now subject to a comprehensive new regulatory regime that will have direct implications...