Law

There were five reasonable precautions a contractor could have taken to prevent the death of a child who fell down an open manhole in an incident in 2020, a sheriff has found. Sheriff Stuart Reid has published his determination in the fatal accident inquiry into the death of Shéa Ryan.

Despite the construction industry recording fewer deaths than in 2023/24, the sector’s persistently high numbers highlight the ongoing danger it presents, write construction lawyers Vikki Watt and Stacey Fox.

A Glasgow sheriff has awarded just over £17,500 to an electrician and approved rot contractor who carried out communal work to his second cousin’s property before it was sold for over £1.1 million after finding that he was not paid the majority of the sum due for the job and the c

A recent English High Court ruling should serve as a clear warning to the construction industry that even informal WhatsApp exchanges can form legally-binding contracts, according to a lawyer. Michael Kitson says contractors and developers negotiating contracts cannot afford to presume the details o

Law firm Raeburn Christie Clark and Wallace has announced the appointment of Hannah Cruickshank as the newest member of its residential conveyancing team. She joins the firm as an associate and brings with her a wealth of experience to the firm.

Scotland's appeals court has dismissed an action raised against the constructors of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow alleging defects in the cladding of part of the adult hospital. Lord Braid granted decree of absolvitor in the Outer House of the Court of Session after finding that the claim

Burness Paull has appointed highly regarded renewables development lawyer Nicola Scott as a partner in its energy team. Ms Scott advises clients in the renewables sector on real estate matters having spent her career working in both private practice and in house with a ‘big six’ energy c

Burges Salmon has advised the majority shareholders of Aberdeen-based Encomara, a floating wind and subsea engineering firm, on the sale of the business to Inverness-headquartered Aurora Energy Services. Encomara will maintain its brand and product identity while gaining access to Aurora’s glo

Last week, Sheelagh Cooley, real estate partner and head of the Edinburgh office at Shoosmiths, delivered the keynote speech at the Scotland Investor and Developer Breakfast as part of the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF, Leeds, 20-22 May). She shared her market insights

Laura Sefton, an energy specialist lawyer from CMS, highlights the challenges facing the housing sector over the decarbonisation of heat from buildings, explains why we’re seeing an evolving regulatory environment and examines the legal and regulatory implications of these changes. Scotland&rs

An Aberdeen man who sought judicial review of his local authority’s plans to redevelop part of a recreational park near his home as part of a sustainable energy strategy has had a reclaiming motion against the refusal of the petition refused by the Inner House of the Court of Session.

The growing popularity of self-builds and owner-managed conversions and renovations, perhaps fuelled by the popularity of Grand Designs and other such programmes, puts an additional potential responsibility on conveyancers when acting for purchasers of such properties and this is becoming a growing

Law firm DWF has appointed Laura McCorquodale as a dispute resolution partner within its Edinburgh Infrastructure, Construction and Engineering team. Joining from Harper Macleod LLP, where she led the construction disputes team for the past five years, Laura brings experience in complex and high-val

Law firm Shoosmiths has appointed two principal associates and two associates to its real estate practice in Scotland. Ben Harper-Phillips has joined as a principal associate, having recently relocated to Scotland from Australia. An experienced real estate solicitor, who has been recognised in Best

Shepherd and Wedderburn has appointed project finance specialist Graham Young as the latest partner to join its clean energy team. Mr Young brings extensive experience in complex banking and finance transactions, and his technical skillset and sector expertise have earned him a strong reputatio