Legal Insights & Industry Updates

Life, business and the law

The law never stands still, and the way it applies to you and your organisation is constantly evolving. Our people are on top of these developments and can keep you up to date with some of the most interesting aspects of these changes. Check out our articles and updates for our perspective on issues that might affect you.

Latest articles from Laura McCorquodale

Why 'without prejudice' wording does not create a magical force field of legal protection around documents

By Laura McCorquodale 20 Feb 2020

There is an ongoing misconception that labelling any document 'without prejudice' creates a magical legal force field around it, making it inadmissible in any subsequent proceedings. A recent construction adjudication enforcement case illustrates why this is not the case and hints at how to use 'without prejudice' wording to give the best chance of protecting documents from being relied on in dispute resolution proceedings.
Scottish court confirms that adjudication enforcements are still hard to resist

By Laura McCorquodale 24 Sep 2019

The latest Scottish court decision on a challenge to an adjudication award somewhat predictably saw the court enforcing the adjudicator's award. It is likely that future enforcement actions will be concluded in a much shorter timeframe than this one was.
What happens when building projects go wrong?

By Laura McCorquodale 09 Apr 2019

Building projects always start out with the parties' best of intentions to keep to budget and programme; however, as anyone who has seen an episode of Grand Designs will know, it seems almost inevitable that no matter how meticulously planned a project may be matters will arise which will impact upon the costs and time allocated for the works.
A Licence to (trap and) Kill? Important court decision on the control of wild birds in Scotland

By Laura McCorquodale 31 Jul 2017

Tackling wildlife crime is a significant problem in parts of Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage issues the licences which permit persons to kill, injure or trap wild birds. A final decision was reached earlier this year on a challenge to the SNH's power to restrict licences under Framework for Implementation of General Licence Restrictions.