Opinion

Recent legal reforms in the UK have increased the risk of corporate criminal liability for fraud, making urgent the need for businesses to reassess and strengthen their fraud prevention procedures, writes Tom Stocker. The clock is ticking for businesses across Scotland and the UK to review their fra

Law accountant Mike Davis looks at some of challenges when handling probate (confirmation) in Scotland, providing insight on how to overcome them. When someone dies, the responsibility to manage their property, finances and personal belongings (their ‘estate’) usually falls to famil

Insolvency expert Chris Bristow compares the various options available to companies facing insolvency, from restructuring debts through a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), to seeking protection via company administration, and last resorting to liquidation if rescue efforts fail. When a company is

Debt expert Sharon McDougall discusses the complexities of director liability for company debts, exploring scenarios where directors may be held personally accountable despite the protection of limited liability, and the potential consequences thereof. The legal structure of a limited company means

Sandy Begbie, chief executive of Scottish Financial Enterprise, examines the challenges facing the Scottish economy, emphasising the need for government intervention to stimulate growth, particularly in the financial and professional services sectors which are "ripe for the kind of product

Following the FCA's recently published guidance on financial promotion through social media channels, Burness Paull's Marianne Murnin and Steven Knox look at the intersection of financial services, social media, and influencer marketing, highlighting the regulatory and commercial considerations

Scotland could turn its vision for ethical regulatory principles into a competitive advantage, writes ​Chris Elwell-Sutton. According to the International Monetary Fund’s latest report, AI could boost the UK’s uninspiring productivity by up to 1.5 per cent annually. Analysts estimate t

Comprehending closure options to mitigate legal risks and maximise tax efficiencies is critical for directors when considering, writes Chris Bristow as he discusses the distinctions between company liquidation and strike-off processes. Company liquidation and strike-off are both processes that

Keith Brooks delves into the complexities of Scottish income tax rates and how individuals can navigate them, particularly focusing on the effective tax rates faced by those earning between £100,000 and £125,140, and offering strategies to mitigate tax burdens. With the start of a new ta

Scotland's hospitality sector is posed with staffing difficulties as the UK government implements new salary thresholds for hiring overseas talent, writes Kelly Hardman. Hospitality businesses in Scotland looking to hire overseas talent to support their operations – at a time when domestic rec

Governments alone do not have enough capital to fund the infrastructure required to address imminent economic challenges and meet future targets, writes David Young. alone don’t have the capital available to fund the infrastructure that will be required, writes David Young

Marcus Di Rollo discusses the housing crisis in Scotland, considering the implications of rental market policies like the rent cap for both landlords and tenants. Scotland is in the midst of a housing crisis. The number of new-build homes started and completed last year fell by 24% and 11%, res

Graham Alexander delves into the challenges hindering the UK's utilisation of the vast opportunities within the subsea sector, highlighting fiscal instability, lack of clear policy direction, and the need for a cohesive national industrial strategy to unlock the sector's potential. Uncertainty, larg

Tax expert Scott Webster delves into the new residence-based system which will replace the existing non-dom regime from next year. As part of the recent 2024 Spring Budget, significant changes were announced to the way in which non-UK domiciliaries (non-doms) are to be taxed from 6 April 2025.

Moira Gordon discusses how the Aberdeen City Council's decision to scrap Empty Rates Relief (ERR) to address budget shortfalls may have unintended consequences for businesses across Scotland, as it could negatively impact investor appetite for the city and widen the gap with England's favourable bus