Effective Estate Planning in Scotland: Seven Key Considerations
Do you think about the future? Are you in the habit of making to-do lists or new year resolutions? Do you have life goals or expectations…
FRI Leases in Scotland: How a Schedule of Condition Can Limit Tenant Repair Liability
In the Scottish commercial property market, full repairing and insuring (“FRI”) leases remain the most common leasing structure. For…
Upwards-only Rent Reviews: What Could Change for Scottish Commercial Leases?
Rent reviews are a well-established feature of commercial leases, allowing landlords to adjust rent payments to match market rates and…
AI in Court: Can a Chatbot Replace a Solicitor?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is now part of everyday legal work, and clients increasingly ask whether it can do the job of a lawyer. A…
Five Common Trade Mark Mistakes Start-Ups Should Avoid
For many start-ups, building a brand is exciting. A strong name and identity can attract customers, distinguish a business from competitors…
UK Visa Application Refused: How to Appeal a Home Office Decision
Receiving a refusal from the Home Office can be stressful, particularly when the deadlines for challenging the decision are short. If your…
Digital Assets and Divorce in Scotland: What the 2026 Act Means
The new Digital Assets (Scotland) Act 2026 is now in force. Its purpose is to bring some necessary clarification to the law surrounding…
Thorntons Interns Share their Experience of the Black Professionals UK Programme
Thorntons recently welcomed interns - Bruna Cruz and Elisha Abraham - through the Black Professionals UK Internship Programme, giving them…
Partial Assignation of a Commercial Lease in Scotland: When is it Worth Considering?
Most commercial real estate practitioners in Scotland will be familiar with the assignation of a whole lease. When a tenant wishes to…
Thorntons Advises on £3.9m Acquisition of Carbisdale Castle
A landmark Highlands castle is set to become a key tourist destination after it was acquired by a US couple who previously restored the…
A First-Time Buyer's Guide to Buying Property in Scotland
Including Lloyds' £5,000 Deposit Mortgage and the Scottish First Home Fund Buying your first home in Scotland is an exciting milestone…
As the Commonwealth Games Wrap Up, what Happens when the "Winner" isn't who you Expected?
With the Commonwealth Games placing Glasgow in the spotlight, it is a useful moment to consider another arena in which timing, official…
Construction Retention Reform: Key Risks of Performance Bonds
In an earlier article on the UK Government's late payment consultation, I explained why the proposed ban on retention in construction…
Thorntons Ranked Among Scotland’s Most Recommended Law Firms in New Legal 500 Research
The firm placed fifth in Scotland on a client advocacy measure drawn from nearly 9,000 responses to Legal 500's annual client research.…
Thorntons Strengthens Glasgow Offering with Landmark Senior Appointments as Growth Continues Across Scotland
Front row seated L-R: Fiona Piper, Stephen Connolly. Back row L-R: David White, Aimee Gibbons and Vicky Ward.Leading independent Scottish…
The Inheritance Tax Gift Exemption Few People Use
Earlier this year, a wealthy political donor discovered that giving money away is rarely as simple as it looks. Jeremy Hosking had given…
How Devolved Immigration Policy Could Help Scottish Businesses
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has promised a more devolved approach to policymaking. Immigration should form part of that conversation,…
Thorntons Climbs Chambers High Net Worth Rankings with Four Partners Recognised
Independent full-service law firm Thorntons has been ranked among the top private wealth advisers in Scotland in the 2026 Chambers High Net…
Design Responsibility in Construction Contracts: Avoiding the Fitness for Purpose Trap
In the words of Meat Loaf, “Two out of three ain’t bad”. In 2017, however, the Supreme Court unanimously disagreed.Design responsibility in…
Can Employees Work Remotely Abroad? A Guide for UK Employers
Can employees work remotely abroad for a UK employer?Remote working of one kind or another has become a common feature of working life for…
British Citizenship Priority Service: Cost, Processing Time and What you Need to Know
The Home Office has introduced a new priority service for British citizenship applications, offering eligible applicants a decision within…