Entrenched municipal bureaucracy and escalating tariffs are putting unprecedented pressure on project timelines and budgets, and even worse, cancelling the tendering of planned public infrastructure projects for this year.

Iain Talman explores the issues for trustees and how to manage the buy-out process whilst minimising risks.

The Decision of Lord Glennie in the case of Elekta Limited v The Common Services Agency (2011) CSOH 107 addresses some interesting aspects of public procurement challenges; challenges which appear to be on the increase following the late 2009 amendments to the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 ("the Regulations").

Over the last year the issue of illegal occupation of private land has been highlighted with a substantial increase in illegal travellers taking occupation of vacant and derelict sites with easy access for vehicles.

In July of this year HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced changes to how they will interpret legislation which governs the zero-rating of buildings intended to be used solely for a Relevant Residential Purpose or Relevant Charitable Purpose.

"Endeavours" clauses (clauses under which a party agrees to "try" to bring about a particular occurrence) feature regularly in commercial contracts.

Contracts and subcontracts need to be reviewed and amended where necessary to provide for the implementation of the act.

An assault at an on-site tavern in a worker's two week shift arose out of, or in the course of the employee's employment.

The labour hire employer was in fact fulfilling a contractual obligation to remove the employee from the worksite.

The FWC found that the employee was unfairly dismissed, when the employer misinterpreted the exit as an intent to resign.

In a case of potentially significant consequence for litigants and their advisors, the High Court has drawn a stark distinction between the advice given by claims consultants and that given by solicitors and barristers.

When the European Convention on Human Rights was introduced as being directly enforceable in the UK, there was considerable speculation about the impact that direct applicability of the Convention would have on UK domestic law.

The effects of this winter’s cold snap will continue to be seen and will be felt when driving on Scotland’s roads for some time to come.

Employers can challenge a medical certificate where there is reasonable cause to believe that the employee is dishonest.

An assault at an on-site tavern in the middle of a worker's shift arose out of, or in the course of his employment.

Where accommodation is specifically provided, safe and secure systems should be in place to ensure the safety of workers.

The aged care provider remedied deficiencies in the medication management system that was exploited by a former employee.

A great many First Nations, Métis and Inuit are the victims of environmental racism.

Safeway Stores Ltd v Twigger & ors [2010] EWHC 11 (Com) concerns a claim by Safeway against eight former executives for payment against liability incurred by Safeway for a fine to be imposed on Safeway for breaches of competition law relating to the pricing of milk.

Disputes involving credit hire agreements continue to come before the courts and this article looks at the recent decision in W v Veolia Environmental Services [2011] EWHC 2020 (QB) in which a number of issues were considered.