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…
Property
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…
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…
The Shed or the Location: How Scottish Logistics Occupiers Are Rethinking the Lease Decision
Finding modern logistics space in Scotland is becoming harder near the Central Belt. For occupiers, the challenge is no longer just finding…
Master Plan Consent: Planning for the Future or Just Building Another Plot Twist?
Scotland’s planning system is evolving and for those navigating it, standing still is not an option. As policies shift, priorities sharpen…
World Cup Sparks Surge in American Interest in Scottish Second Homes
Coming back from the United States after following Scotland at the World Cup in Boston, I found myself thinking about more than football.…
RAAC Properties: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (“RAAC”) has become a significant topic within not only the Scottish property market but also the UK…
On the right track: Managing Shared Access in Scottish Renewable Developments
As renewable energy development density increases, developers are increasingly forced to rely on the same access routes to reach their…
Late payment reform in construction contracts. What the new retention and payment rules mean
In 2025, I wrote about retention in the construction industry and asked whether the sector was truly moving away from the practice, or…
Construction risk transfer in Scotland. Why construction risk never disappears
Construction risk is a constant on every project. In Scottish construction projects, risk can arise from ground conditions, design…
Termination in construction contracts isn’t leverage
In construction contracts, many people assume that well-crafted termination clauses will fully protect them from commercial risk. A UK…
Planning on Making a Change? You Better Check the List First
The Essentials of Listed Building ConsentWhen it comes to outstanding architecture in the Highlands, Inverness Castle must be close to the…
Tacit Relocation Lives On: Why Getting your Notice to Quit Right is Critical
The Leases (Automatic Continuation etc.) (Scotland) Bill (“the Bill”) promised to modernise an area of law often seen as outdated, overly…
One-year delay to Scottish Building Safety Levy
A charge on new residential developments has been delayed until April 2028.The Scottish Government has just announced that the introduction…
Tips for Moving House when you have Children
The National Records of Scotland estimated that the number of households in Scotland in 2024 was 2.55 million*. Whilst there is no…
Missives: What Are They And When Are They Binding?
In Scots Law, missives are a series of formal letters exchanged between the seller’s solicitor and the purchaser’s solicitor, which when…
Thorntons builds on construction law and commercial real estate expertise.
Leading independent Scottish law firm Thorntons has expanded its market-leading Commercial Real Estate team, with the appointment of two…
What Scotland's EPC changes mean for non-domestic properties?
In 2023, the Scottish Government launched its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reform consultation. Following responses received to the…
Navigating inconsistencies in title deeds with the Tenement Management Scheme
In June 2024, the Scotland Census 2022 reported that almost one third of households in Scotland were living in tenement buildings. Most…
Understanding the Scottish Property System as a First-Time Buyer
Purchasing your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming especially when navigating the legal and financial…
Wood Burning Stoves Now Permitted in New Homes and Buildings in Scotland
The Scottish Government has recently announced a significant amendment to the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) regulations, which came into…