Dallas McMillan Glasgow Solicitors

On 7th February 2013 the Scottish Government announced plans to alter its Debt Arrangement Scheme (DAS) the Scottish Government’s Debt Management tool.  The DAS, which is uniquely Scottish, freezes interest and assists people struggling with debt to repay their indebtedness over a longer period.

The Ministry of Justice, the Scottish Government and the Department of Justice, Northern Ireland have jointly launched a consultation exercise over how the discount rate for personal injury compensation should be set.

The Government is consulting at the moment (and until 15th February) about their proposals for compulsory early conciliation efforts by claimants, whereby they will have to notify ACAS of intended tribunal claim in advance of lodging it.

The Government have issued a draft set of regulations (The Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (Amendment) Order 2013) intended to come into force on 6th April which affect any proposal to make at least 20 employees collectively redundant from that date on.

The latest Department for Transport road casualty statistics show an increase in casualties for vulnerable road users.

The City of Edinburgh Council has taken the unprecedented step of refusing an application for a landlord to enter the landlord register after he threatened to shoot his tenants.   When the regulatory committee heard about Mark Fortune’s two previous convictions relating to this business, they rejected his application, making this the first time the Council has taken such a step.  It will now be a criminal offence for Mr Fortune to rent out properties in Edinburgh.

The death of a 14-year-old army cadet has led to the Ministry of Defence (MOD) receiving an HSE Crown Censure.

The family of a man who died while taking part in a clinical trial has been awarded an undisclosed amount in compensation, reports Orange News.

An NHS Foundation Trust has been sentenced for safety failings after a vulnerable patient died following a fall from a first floor window of a hospital in Gillingham.

Car manufacturer Toyota has agreed to pay compensation to the family of an American couple who died when their Toyota Camry hit a wall, reports the BBC.

Three directors of an internet trading company based in Liverpool have been disqualified from acting as company directors for over 20 years for filing incorrect VAT returns.

A recent study from Stirling University has highlighted the importance of unannounced HSE inspections to workplace safety.

Employers are being urged to focus on real risk after 20 workers lost their lives while at work in Scotland last year - an increase of six on the previous year.

Business Minister Jo Swinson today recently announced a review that will ensure creditors achieve value for money from procedures carried out by insolvency practitioners.

Two connected London based companies, 10 Little Pigs and Magic Berries have been wound up in the public interest for the misleading promotion of franchise opportunities. The petition to wind up the companies was presented to the High Court following an investigation by Company Investigations, part of the insolvency service.

In Sycamore Bidco Ltd v Breslin & Anor [2012] EWHC 3443 (Ch), the High Court has considered whether express warranties in a share purchase agreement could found an action for misrepresentation in the alternative to a claim contractual claim for breach of warranty.

Staffordshire County Council and a refurbishment firm have been fined for exposing a nursery class, school staff and two joiners to asbestos fibres.

Businesses and organisations with cooling towers in the west of Scotland are facing checks to ensure they are managing legionella risks appropriately.

Injuries inflicted with needles and other sharp instruments in the healthcare sector could be avoided if regulatory loopholes were closed, campaigners have claimed.

A Leicestershire building firm has been fined after an employee fell five metres and was then struck by a wooden board and concrete blocks after a partially-built floor gave way.