Happy New Year!
What? Happy New Year? But that was months ago, even Easter has come and gone. Indeed, but 6th April is the start of the new tax year, so what are your Financial Resolutions? Maybe you haven’t thought about it yourself, so here a few for you to think about: Use your allowances – you have […]
Financial implications of the proposed new rules on energy efficiency in commercial buildings
The Assessment of Energy Performance of Non-Domestic Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2016 are due to come into force on 1st September 2016 and will mean that certain commercial properties must achieve a minimum energy performance level (likely to be an E rating) in order to comply with the Regulations. This means that commercial properties with an […]
FORGET BREXIT – THE RIGHT TO BUY YOUR COUNCIL HOUSE ENDS ON 1ST AUGUST, 2016
With the Brexit debate dominating our news headlines for the past few months, you would be forgiven for thinking that this is the most important legal matter of the year. A ‘leave’ vote will end an historic Tory legislative milestone – membership of the European Union. However, in Scotland, there is another very important piece […]
Matrimonial implications of the new Succession legislation
The Succession (Scotland) Act 2016 was enacted earlier this year and when it comes into force it will introduce not only substantial changes to the Law of Succession in a wider sense but also in relation to matters of particular interest to family lawyers and those who are going through a separation. […]
2016 Starts to Look a Bit More Rosy – Despite the Brexit!
By Scott Middleton, Chartered Financial Planner In our last market commentary in February we were coping with the increased anxiety caused by falling equity markets both in the UK and abroad. This has been replaced by general feeling of wellbeing as the reversal in fortunes of equities has seen an almost total rebound in the […]
Succession (Scotland) Act 2016
The Succession (Scotland) Act 2016 will come fully into force on 1st November 2016. This is the first significant reform in this area of law for over 50 years. The 2016 Act implements a number of technical legal changes and addresses a number of anomalies within the current legal framework. This Act is likely […]
Residential Tenancies – an update on future developments
The Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Bill was recently passed by the Scottish Parliament and is expected to come into effect perhaps as early as 2017. The aim of the legislation is to create simpler tenancies, offer stability and security for private tenants and ensure predictability over rent increases. It also fundamentally changes the nature of […]
JAMES AND GEORGE COLLIE CHARITY FUND RAISING
James and George Collie are proud to be raising funds for both Maggie’s House and Mrs Murray’s Cat and Dog Home throughout 2016. Both charities were selected by staff at the Firm and signify causes close to their hearts. We are pleased to report that we are on course to eclipse the total funds raised […]
Pre-nuptial Agreements – for one and all!
The popularity of the pre-nuptial agreement in Scotland is continuing to grow and we are regularly asked to prepare and advise on such agreements. These are not just for international celebrities with vast fortunes, but can be equally as important for the man and woman in the street. A pre- nuptial agreement is a contract […]
Brexit Decision Made: The Divorce, the Fallout and the Reaction
Now that the United Kingdom has chosen to head for the EU exit door, the ramifications for investors, savers and borrowers have been quick to be felt. Falling interest rates, Sterling weakness and market volatility are already with us and once ‘Article 50’ is invoked things will really start to happen. The initial market reaction […]