News
4 July, 2016
Brexit: Some Thoughts on Scotland
All sorts of constitutional issues arise out of last Thursday’s referendum: Art.50 TEU; the need for Parliamentary approval before it is invoked; whether the new Prime Minister will seek to call a general election; whether the result is properly considered “decisive”; and what wider implications there are for the constitution. Although these issues will all […]
30 June, 2016
Lady Carmichael welcomed to “enthusiastic and happy cohort”
The latest of a series of new Senators of the College of Justice has been installed in traditional fashion, taking the judicial title, Lady Carmichael. Former Ampersand member, Ailsa Carmichael, QC, was sworn in by the Lord President, Lord Carloway, in the First Division courtroom. Lord Carloway said: “Lady Carmichael, on behalf of the Bench, […]
27 June, 2016
Inner House refuses application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court in cerebral palsy case
David Stephenson QC and Jamie Dawson of Ampersand recently represented Highland Health Board at a hearing at which the pursuers and reclaimers sought the Court’s permission to appeal to the Supreme Court. The application was made in terms of section 40(1)(a) of the Court of Session Act 1988. Section 40A(3) of the Act provides as […]
27 June, 2016
Ampersand respond to “No blame” redress scheme consultation
Ampersand have issued a formal response to the Scottish Government’s consultation document on draft proposals for a “no-blame” redress scheme in Scotland for harm resulting from clinical treatment. Ampersand highlight various concerns about the proposed scheme. Our full response can be viewed here. The Consultation document can be viewed at the Scottish Goverment consultation hub here. […]
23 June, 2016
Simon Di Rollo Q.C. writes on recent UKSC decision
The Supreme Court ruling in PJS not only highlights the difficult balance between rights to privacy and freedom of expression, but also further underpins the prospect of actions for breach of privacy. Strong indignation from newspapers, following the Supreme Court decision in PJS v News Group Newspapers [2016] UKSC 26 to prevent further publication of […]
22 June, 2016
Jamie Gardiner writes on New insights into commercial litigation risk
Ampersand’s Jamie Gardiner writes: How a software tool can apply modern risk analysis techniques to deliver projections on the prospects of settling an action at a given figure that commercial clients will understand Traditionally, lawyers rely on instinct (coupled with their normal case analysis) to assess the risk-adjusted value of an action. For simple cases this can […]