News
27 February, 2017
The Lord Chancellor announces changes to personal injury compensation payments
The Lord Chancellor has today announced changes to personal injury compensation payments. When victims of life-changing injuries accept lump sum compensation payments, the actual amount they receive is adjusted according to the interest they can expect to earn by investing it. In finalising the compensation amount, courts apply a calculation called the Discount Rate – with […]
16 February, 2017
Scottish silk honoured in English QC cermenony
It has been quite a week for Aidan O’Neill QC. The advocate, who has been a QC in Scotland since 1999, took silk south of the Border on Monday, when he was the only member of the Faculty of Advocates among the 113 barristers to receive the honour in London’s Westminster Hall. Although the process of applying […]
16 February, 2017
Simon Di Rollo QC “Lawyer of the week”
Ampersand”s Simon Di Rollo QC features in the Times “Lawyer of the week”. The article discusses the recent case of Denise Clair, the first civil prosecution for rape in Scotland, along with other musings from Mr Di Rollo. The article can be viewed here.
7 February, 2017
Successful defence in midwifery negligence action
Ampersand’s Una Doherty acted for the defenders in the action Leigh-Ann Glen v Tayside Health Board 2017 CSOH 18, in which the pursuer claimed there had been negligence on the part of midwives involved in her care after the birth of her child. When her placenta was delivered by a midwife, it was incomplete. This […]
6 February, 2017
Could you play a part in new lawyers’ group?
It’s up and running, and with the hard work about to start for the Scottish Ethnic Minority Lawyers’ Association (SEMLA), it wants to hear from those who could have a role to play. The first meeting of SEMLA’s five-strong steering group was held at the Faculty of Advocates, when its aims and objectives were put […]
26 January, 2017
Paul Reid: Time to Give the Sewel Convention Some (Political) Bite?
Ampersand advocate Paul Reid writes: Constitutional conventions are, the Supreme Court has confirmed, just that: conventions. The courts are “neither the parents nor the guardians” of such conventions; “merely observers” (para.146). The Sewel Convention “has an important role in facilitating harmonious relationships” between Westminster and the devolved legislatures but it is not for the court […]