Do I need a Will in Scotland? If you are an adult, the honest answer is yes, whatever your age, income or circumstances. A Will names the person who deals with your affairs and who looks after your children. It also decides who receives what you leave behind, from...
Can you change a shared care arrangement in Scotland once it is up and running? A recent decision at Hamilton Sheriff Court shows how the court approaches that question. In Black v White, a father asked for more nights with his daughters and a residence order in his...
Granting a Power of Attorney does not sign your life away. In Scotland your attorney can only do what your document allows. Welfare powers cannot be used at all while you are still able to make the decision yourself. This guide explains the limits of a Power of...
Gordon Sommerville retires from Pomphreys on 30 September 2026, after 49 years with the firm. He joined in 1977 and went on to become sole owner. Later he built up the private client department, then agreed terms to pass on the practice to Sarah Lynch in 2024. We sat...
Employment tribunal time limits in Scotland are about to double. From 1 October 2026, most tribunal claims move to a six month deadline rather than three. That applies where the dismissal or other act you are complaining about happens on or after that date. Breach of...
Signing a settlement agreement ends your employment on agreed terms and closes off the claims you could otherwise bring. It is not valid unless you have taken independent legal advice first, and your employer will normally pay for that advice. This guide explains what...
Two significant changes for Scottish landlords took effect on 6 October 2026. Wrongful termination awards now range from three to thirty-six times a set monthly figure. That replaces the old ceiling of six months’ rent. Separately, the qualifying period for...
Legal Rights in Scotland give your husband, wife or civil partner and your children a fixed share of your moveable estate, whatever your Will says. In practice this means you cannot disinherit a child completely. This guide explains what Legal Rights cover, how much...
Enforcing a contact order in Scotland has come into sharp focus. A Sheriff recently jailed a parent for seven days for deliberately blocking their child’s relationship with the other parent. The case is a clear reminder that a contact order is a binding court order,...
When someone loses the capacity to make their own decisions and no Power of Attorney is in place, their family cannot simply step in. To manage that person’s money, property or care, you may need to apply for a Guardianship Order in Scotland through the sheriff court....
