The UK Treasury’s latest report on the implications of Scottish independence fails to appreciate the true nature of banking regulation, argues Rod MacLeod, a leading financial and banking expert and Partner at Tods Murray Solicitors. The report, announced in Edinburgh by Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore MP, claims that an independent Scotland would … Continue reading »
Scotland’s Third Sector has recently been gripped with ‘Independence-fever’. Everyone’s temperature rose with the publication of draft guidance from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR). However, this widely-anticipated guidance, which everyone hoped would clarify the position and aid concerns, has raised some challenges and questions. The 7-page document has been criticised by some … Continue reading »
The new Head of the Family Law Team at Tods Murray, Lucy Metcalf gives a personal introduction to the team’s ethos, services and approach, alongside Senior Solicitor, Naomi Pryde. The Tods Murray Family Law Team is a very experienced, skilful and sympathetic team who are committed to take you through family issues every step of … Continue reading »
Leading Scottish independent law firm, Tods Murray, have welcomed Lucy Metcalf as the new head of the Firm’s Family Law team. Lucy is trained by the Law Society of Scotland as a Family Mediator and is also trained in Collaborative Family Law – a new approach which enables couples to work together to reach solutions … Continue reading »
Tods Murray has acted for long-standing client Breedon Aggregates in their acquisition of part of the Scottish business and assets of Aggregate Industries. The deal, worth £34m, will see Breedon take on six quarries, four asphalt plants, seven ready-mix concrete plants and two concrete block units. The deal almost doubles the firm’s total mineral reserve … Continue reading »
Last year the Royal Highland Show saw over 183,000 visitors attend the show and Tods Murray held the Show’s inaugural breakfast educational event which was very successful and saw an exclusive audience of 50 attend our event consisting of clients, new contacts, land agents and intermediaries. This year, our breakfast event will be a joint … Continue reading »
How can the hospitality and leisure sector make the most of the 2014 tourism events? This was the topic of the Tods Murray Hospitality & Leisure Forum event at Blythswood Square on 24 April. Leading figures in the sector heard from speakers on the day Mike Cantlay, Chair of VisitScotland, David Broadfoot of Glamis Castle … Continue reading »
Tods Murray’s Hospitality & Leisure team have completed a deal to finance the purchase of the Holiday Inn Express in Dundee. The transaction saw the team advising the Royal Bank of Scotland who part-financed the purchase of the purpose-built 95-bedroom hotel. The hotel development, which includes 7500 sq ft of restaurant and retail space, sits … Continue reading »
Since July 2011, all organisations and their Trustees engaged in commercial activities have been exposed to an increased risk of possible criminal prosecution under the Bribery Act 2010 if one of their employees, agents or associates commits bribery and the organisation failed to have adequate procedures in place to try and prevent this. It does … Continue reading »
All organisations are affected with the challenges and problems of fraud and financial abuse. Whilst this is normally associated with the private sector, yet the statistics and real life examples show us that the challenge is very much there and that we must take the necessary steps to combat the issue. Indeed, the National Fraud … Continue reading »
Tods Murray’s Employment Law Team has been bolstered with the arrival of Partner Dawn Robertson. Dawn arrives at Tods Murray with significant skills and experience as an accredited specialist in employment law with the Law Society of Scotland. She is a member of Law Society of Scotland’s Employment Law Group; a member of the UK-wide … Continue reading »
“The Winning Years” is how VisitScotland have labelled the tourism events which culminate in The Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and Year of Homecoming in 2014. We’re told they present “a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the face of Scottish tourism”. However, what exactly should organisations be doing to prepare themselves for 2014? What … Continue reading »
“The Winning Years” is how VisitScotland have labelled the tourism events which culminate in The Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and Year of Homecoming in 2014. We’re told they present “a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the face of Scottish tourism”. However, what exactly should organisations be doing to prepare themselves for 2014? What … Continue reading »
“The Winning Years” is how VisitScotland have labelled the tourism events which culminate in The Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup and Year of Homecoming in 2014. We’re told they present “a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the face of Scottish tourism”. However, what exactly should organisations be doing to prepare themselves for 2014? What … Continue reading »
On 22 April 2013, MPs passed the Partnerships (Prosecutions) (Scotland) Bill, which is designed to close a legal loophole which allowed Scottish partnerships to evade prosecution by dissolving. The legal loophole was exposed following a fire at the Rosepark care home in Uddingston in which 14 people died. Despite three attempts by the Crown Office … Continue reading »
Tods Murray featured on BBC Radio Scotland’s NEWSDRIVE programme on Tue 23 April as part of the ongoing debate into currency union should Scotland become independent. Rod MacLeod was interviewed in the programme.
In advance of the next Third Sector Forum on 1st May, Head of the Third Sector Team at Tods Murray, David Dunsire, discusses the key issues surrounding preventing fraud in the third sector with Pat Armstrong, Chief Executive of the Association of Chief Officers of Scottish Voluntary Organisations (ACOSVO). Learn about Tods Comply, our exclusive … Continue reading »
Following the announcement today of the Treasury’s analysis of possible currency union between an independent Scotland and the rest of the UK, Tods Murray Banking & Finance Partner, Rod MacLeod, has reiterated the need for a formal monetary union with the rest of the UK should Scotland vote ‘yes’ in September 2014. Speaking after attending … Continue reading »
Tods Murray featured on BBC’s NEWSNIGHT SCOTLAND programme on Mon 22 April as part of the ongoing debate into currency union should Scotland become independent. Rod MacLeod was interviewed in the programme.
Tods Murray featured on STV’s SCOTLAND TONIGHT programme on Mon 22 April as part of the ongoing debate into currency union should Scotland become independent. Dr Hamish Patrick was interviewed in the programme.
Leading practitioners in environmental law at Tods Murray Solicitors have said that environmental law in Scotland could have potential to have a very different flavour should it become independent. Speaking on a panel of experts in Dundee earlier this week, Kishwar Sarwar and Richard Leslie of Tods Murray said that as there has been a … Continue reading »
Tods Murray is delighted to have advised longstanding clients Harris Tweed Hebrides on a major new marketing project in the US and Canada. Harris Tweed Hebrides, which accounts for 90% of Harris Tweed production, have teamed up with renowned global marketing agency, Leo Burnett, to promote the product at key events in New York and … Continue reading »
The recent and long awaited decision of the Court of Session Appeal Judges in Lidl UK GmbH v City of Glasgow Licensing Board is an important reminder of the need to review your business’ licensing compliance procedures. Is your business meeting the “Licensing Objectives” set out in the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 (“the Act”), in … Continue reading »
Next year has been billed as “a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the face of Scottish tourism” as we welcome the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow and the Ryder Cup to Gleneagles. 2014 has been packaged up as the Year of Homecoming by VisitScotland – a “year-long programme of events and activities to showcase … Continue reading »
Relationships can turn sour even at the top. Employer and Employee relationships can turn soar even at the top. This has become all too apparent following the recent employment tribunal between Apprentice winner, Stella English and Lord Sugar. Ms English, who earned £100,000 a year working for Lord Sugar’s IT firm, Viglen, raised a claim … Continue reading »
The UK’s first youth police and crime commissioner, Paris Brown, has resigned from her post following criticism of messages she posted on Twitter. This case places firmly in the spotlight the dangers of social media for employees. Employees beware – no “right to be forgotten” The social media footprint of young people today is very … Continue reading »
As published in Third Force News April 2013 Fraud in the third sector is usually talked about in hushed undertones. The general perception is that fraud takes place elsewhere and that the third sector is somehow immune. Unfortunately, fraud can occur anywhere and organisations need to be aware of how to manage and minimise the … Continue reading »
Legacy donations to charities accounts for nearly one-third of philanthropic giving in the UK. However, how can you ensure that this significant revenue stream is managed effectively? Tods Murray Solicitors’ Third Sector team have compiled this legal checklist which will walk you through the various considerations you should consider. Have you been left a legacy? … Continue reading »
In this short interview, Dr Hamish Patrick provides some specific advice for English lawyers on the new charge registration regulations for UK companies. Dr Patrick was involved informally with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in the development of certain Scottish aspects of the new regime so he is able to offer an unrivalled insight … Continue reading »
Tods Murray’s Third Sector Forum shall be hosting a key event next month on the issue of preventing and managing fraud in the third sector. The event, taking place on Wednesday 1st May at Tods Murray’s Edinburgh Quay offices, will hear from Laura Anderson, Head of Enforcement at the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator … Continue reading »
Verifiable CPD - For Law Society of Scotland Registered solicitors If you did not attend the seminar in person, you can still achieve 90 minutes of Verifiable CPD. To do so, simply download the Multiple Choice Test, complete it as you view the online seminar and then send your answer sheet to chris.tait@todsmurray.com. You will then … Continue reading »
What considerations should you make for your charity in regards to tax? This legal checklist provides you with some of the main considerations. 1. Setting up a Charity Early and careful planning is required when setting up a charity. The process is simpler if the founders have a clear vision for the charity. What will … Continue reading »
If an independent Scotland opted to keep the pound, the UK government would need to rethink its opposition to a currency union with Scotland, particularly the proposed role of the Bank of England acting as the central bank for Scotland and the rest of the UK. That is the view of Tods Murray’s Banking team … Continue reading »
Tods Murray are pleased to have St Columba’s Hospice as one of their clients and to be supporting the fund raising effort for their new hospice currently under construction. This video presentation was on screen during a recent reception. The aspect ratio is 4×3 and the video is silent. You can find out more about … Continue reading »
As an incentive for UK companies to invest, retain and develop new innovative patented products, the Finance Act 2012 has introduced a new tax concept called the “Patent Box”. This will allow companies (or partnerships with at least one corporate partner) who are liable for corporation tax to effectively apply a lower 10% rate of … Continue reading »
In a recent decision, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has criticised an employer for a redundancy selection exercise determined largely on competency assessment tests. The facts The employer was part of the Castlebeck Group which operates small residential homes/hospitals for patients with mental health or learning disabilities. In 2010, the employer announced the closure of … Continue reading »
The National Records of Scotland this month published preliminary annual figures for Births, Deaths and Vital Life Events for 2012. The figures show that the number of both Marriages and Civil Partnerships has risen, with increases of 4.8 % and 3.6 % respectively on 2011 figures. In 2012 there were 30,534 Marriages celebrated and 574 … Continue reading »
While the underlying fiscal news in this week’s Budget showed little progress on cutting the deficit and highlighted downward revised growth figures, the proposed increases to infrastructure spending have been cautiously welcomed by the Capital Projects team at leading industry solicitors, Tods Murray. Ben Powell, Partner at Tods Murray commented: “George Osborne’s pledge to inject … Continue reading »
Leading legal services provider to the hospitality and leisure sector in Scotland, Tods Murray, have welcomed the Chancellor George Osborne’s budget announcement to scrap the beer duty escalator and reduce the price of a pint by 1p. Head of Hospitality & Leisure at Tods Murray, Katie Corrigan, commented: “The scrapping of the beer duty escalator … Continue reading »
Social enterprise is more of a political definition than a legal one. However, it’s vital to consider the legal structures available and choose the right one for you, before starting up your enterprise. The general definition of a social enterprise is an organisation which reinvests its profits for a social purpose as opposed to distributing … Continue reading »
The horsemeat scandal has certainly caused uproar amongst the British public. Happy to eat pigs and lambs, cows and ducks, why are people so concerned about eating this farm yard animal?! More importantly, why should those in the Hospitality and Leisure industry be concerned? Consumers are concerned over the provenance of the meat and fear … Continue reading »
Today is International Women’s Day, a day across the globe to recognise and rejoice what women have given to the world. International Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900′s, a time of great expansion and turbulence in the industrialised world that saw booming population growth and the rise of radical ideologies. Today it … Continue reading »
The H&L sector faces the same challenges as most businesses who seek financial assistance from lenders, whether for acquisitions, CAPEX or working capital. Following an interesting presentation from our Panel at Tods Murray’s H&L forum, it is clear that lenders are adopting a cautious approach given the risks associated with a sector which relies so … Continue reading »
How do you find funding for your business in today’s challenging economic climate? Trading is tough, banks aren’t lending like they were pre-recession and hospitality businesses are not changing hands like they used to. So if you’re looking to expand your business and in need of professional advice or an injection of capital, just how … Continue reading »
Gift Aid was introduced in 1990 to enable one off chartable donations to be made free of tax but some charities still do not take advantage of the benefit. Will two recent developments change this? The Small Charitable Donation Act 2012 was introduced following representations that “small charities are particularly vulnerable at times of economic … Continue reading »
EVOLVE provides one of the most widely attended employment law seminar programmes in Scotland and tackles the most common issues in employment law. In our seminar programme we also anticipate the legislative changes and how it affects employers, employees and businesses. EVOLVE is designed to keep you on top of the risks and realise potential … Continue reading »
Accessing the Seminar. Please note that you will only be able to view this video if you are a registered solicitor / paralegal and have been given a password. To apply for the password please email chris.tait@todsmurray.com. Verifiable CPD. If you did not attend the seminar in person, you can still achieve 90 minutes of Verifiable CPD. To do so, … Continue reading »
Perched high on the Aonach Mor Mountain sits Nevis Range, a Tods Murray client and an adventure experience like no other in the country. For most people the Scottish countryside is a serene landscape of rolling hills, tranquil glens and mysterious lochs. It’s a headline attraction for foreign visitors, and a source of intense pride … Continue reading »
As we approach 2013, what have we learned from 2012 and what does the next 12 months look like for Scotland’s Third Sector? Tods Murray’s Third Sector Forum was delighted to host, in collaboration with the Association of Chief Officers in Scottish Voluntary Organisations (ACOSVO) and the Scottish Charity Finance Directors’ Group (SCFDG), an evening … Continue reading »
In this session we looked from two different angles at how firms can make sure they have the right workforce to cope with the current difficult economic climate. We were delighted to have as our guest speaker Lorraine Tait from leading consultancy Ashworth Black Ltd which is Scotland’s leading bespoke pay and reward consultancy. One … Continue reading »
