tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49613905402989630852024-02-19T03:36:06.209+00:00Halliday Campbell WSHalliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-86961768319188982122022-12-20T17:00:00.002+00:002023-05-10T11:03:55.012+01:00Lynn McMahon appointed Trustee of the WS Society<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQBZlgH6IBzHYwuxh3lhLHfmKxRC1BhtJbN00oyNMLe8YSNc3yP1aKC9N_rhWjuZPhLgAqKnF7hSc-jXdKGFcrZvIFyKkWxGgEKaGrzNYmlBgQDbBCccbQFB9yhcGQXQl6U1kxI-qij2DFfaYW7yUikPfU6InYri3WnkEnXCY3tjMAniT6GeL0CpQww/s916/DSCF0919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="687" data-original-width="916" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQBZlgH6IBzHYwuxh3lhLHfmKxRC1BhtJbN00oyNMLe8YSNc3yP1aKC9N_rhWjuZPhLgAqKnF7hSc-jXdKGFcrZvIFyKkWxGgEKaGrzNYmlBgQDbBCccbQFB9yhcGQXQl6U1kxI-qij2DFfaYW7yUikPfU6InYri3WnkEnXCY3tjMAniT6GeL0CpQww/s320/DSCF0919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>We are very proud that the firm's <a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/p/about-us.html" target="_blank">Lynn McMahon</a> has <a href="https://www.wssociety.co.uk/signet-post-articles/2022/12/12/new-trustees" target="_blank">been appointed</a> to the <a href="https://www.wssociety.co.uk/about/office-holders" target="_blank">WS Society's Board of Trustees</a>. <p></p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Society_of_Writers_to_His_Majesty%27s_Signet" target="_blank">Founded in 1594</a>, the <a href="https://www.wssociety.co.uk" target="_blank">Society of His Majesty's Writers to the Signet</a> "<i><a href="https://www.wssociety.co.uk/the-society-of-writers-to-hm-signet" target="_blank">may be supposed...the oldest extant professional body in the world.</a>"</i> </p><p>The "Signet" was one of the ancient Crown seals of the Kingdom of Scotland: </p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">"<i>The publick Seals in Scotland are the Signet, the Great Seal, the Quarter Seal, and the Privy Seal. Summons for citing Persons before the Lords of Session, Letters of Horning, Caption, Inhibition, Arrestment, and other personal or real Diligence, Signatures and Precepts pass the King's Signet"</i></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">(William Forbes, "<a href="https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/the-institutes-of-the-law-of-scotland" target="_blank"><i>Institutes of the Law of Scotland</i></a>" I, iv, 187)</p></blockquote><p>The famous <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/The_Great_Seal_of_Scotland_under_HM_Elizabeth_II.jpg" target="_blank">Great Seal</a> was appended to Royal Charters and the like. The <a href="https://www.mernick.org.uk/seals/scotland/scotlandmedieval.htm" target="_blank">earliest extant impression of the Great Seal dates back over 1,000 years</a>, being that of <a href="https://www.poms.ac.uk/record/matrix/6168/" target="_blank">King Duncan II</a> who reigned briefly in 1094 (having survived being held hostage by William the Conqueror for 15 years from the age of 12). For a fascinating study of the Seal under the various monarchs see "<i><a href="https://www.electricscotland.com/books/pdf/historyofscottis02birc.pdf" target="_blank">History of Scottish Seals</a></i>"). </p><p>In contrast, the Signet was the private seal of the early Scottish kings, "<i><a href="https://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/signet" target="_blank">appended to the private letters or orders of the Sovereign regarding summonses and executions of the law and later to writs and warrants of the Court of Session issued in the Sovereign's name</a></i>". The Writers to the Signet were those authorised to supervise its use and, later, to act as clerks to the Courts. The earliest recorded use of the Signet was in 1369. Writers to the Signet evolved into lawyers and, in 1532, were recognised as the original solicitors for litigation in the Supreme Courts as members of the College of Justice established by King James V. Writers to the Signet were included as members of the College of Justice when it was established in 1532, but the Society did not formally appear until 1594, when the King's Secretary, as Keeper of the Signet, granted Commissions to a Deputy Keeper and eighteen other writers.</p><p>Today, the WS Society is <a href="https://www.wssociety.co.uk/about/who-we-are" target="_blank">"<i>at the heart of Scotland's law</i>"</a>, maintains the <a href="https://d3d00swyhr67nd.cloudfront.net/w800h800/collection_photos/EDII_SIG_collection_image_1.jpg" target="_blank">magnificent</a> category-A listed <a href="https://www.wssociety.co.uk/about/origins-and-building" target="_blank">Signet Library</a> and aims to "<i><a href="https://www.wssociety.co.uk/about/who-we-are" target="_blank">advance and disseminate knowledge and education in law and legal practice for public benefit...and promote high standards of expertise and professional conduct</a></i>." We congratulate Lynn on her appointment and could not be happier to support the Society in all that it seeks to achieve. </p><p><br /></p>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-36844074871375945502022-10-20T12:57:00.000+01:002023-04-25T12:58:16.899+01:00The Law Awards of Scotland 2022<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW35ZfV83sfYxQoVcLKzDyReVUQKol3duf3cT_wCxDSRiarL9YaXgTxzwBaEFVaFUymE--pGs_zrVyCU_aIL66fWyGDsCGkFeR-bIEsUFWd4zcTkWwZ1a8hPHQZ72w6dAcqy3NkjyhcLY8bdzLqiy6Yu0XX9RzyJGwOOgJ9_tafIMRUgs8tr76RqW-Kw/s1382/Finalist%20Badge%20-%20The%20Herald%20Law%20Awards%20of%20Scotland%202022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1382" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW35ZfV83sfYxQoVcLKzDyReVUQKol3duf3cT_wCxDSRiarL9YaXgTxzwBaEFVaFUymE--pGs_zrVyCU_aIL66fWyGDsCGkFeR-bIEsUFWd4zcTkWwZ1a8hPHQZ72w6dAcqy3NkjyhcLY8bdzLqiy6Yu0XX9RzyJGwOOgJ9_tafIMRUgs8tr76RqW-Kw/s320/Finalist%20Badge%20-%20The%20Herald%20Law%20Awards%20of%20Scotland%202022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Having won the Litigation Firm of the Year award in 2015, and having been named commended finalists in 2019, <a href="https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23057271.legal-profession/" target="_blank">we have once again been shortlisted as finalists</a> for the Litigation Team of the Year at <a href="https://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/lawawards/" target="_blank">The Herald Law Awards of Scotland 2022</a> by a panel of distinguished judges which included members of the Faculty of Advocates and the President of the Law Society of Scotland. The Awards were established in 2004 and "<i><a href="https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/23057271.legal-profession/" target="_blank">recognise those individuals and legal firms who uphold the highest standards and deliver exceptional services</a>". </i>The organisers note:<p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;">"<i>These awards are the leading legal event in Scotland bringing together the country’s most influential figures. Established in 2004, they shine a spotlight on the excellent quality of work being undertaken by Scotland’s most respected lawyers and law firms. A broad range of categories ensure that the best in-house teams, individuals, law firms and suppliers across Scotland are recognised and rewarded."</i></p></blockquote><p>As always, we are delighted and grateful to the judging panel for the work that it does in highlighting the excellent work done by the country's legal community.</p>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-21075518475147067572020-05-13T19:09:00.000+01:002020-05-13T19:10:33.678+01:00Covid-19 and creditor petitions<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Image by <a href="https://pixabay.com/users/itsneal-481979/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=480837" target="_blank">Neal Nisbet</a> from <a href="https://pixabay.com/?utm_source=link-attribution&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=image&amp;utm_content=480837" target="_blank">Pixabay</a>)</span></div>
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A second <a href="https://beta.parliament.scot/-/media/files/legislation/bills/current-bills/coronavirus-scotland-no2-bill/introduced/bill-as-introduced-coronavirus-scotland-no2-bill.pdf" target="_blank">Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill</a> was introduced at Holyrood this week. Parliament agreed yesterday to treat it as an Emergency Bill and it is now therefore on an accelerated timetable, with the third and final stage of its progress towards being passed as law due to take place on 20 May.</div>
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For businesses, one of the Bill's key provisions will be the proposal to raise the threshold for creditor petitions for sequestration of debtors from the current £3,000 to £10,000 (in England the threshold is already £5,000). This higher hurdle for creditors is intended to provide an additional protection for debtors, meaning that fewer will face the threat of personal bankruptcy, and follows on from the increase in the length of the statutory moratorium, from six weeks to six months, that was introduced in the first 2020 Coronavirus Act. Scotland's Government has explained that the principal purpose of these measures is to give adequate time to those debtors who will be able to repay their debts, once they have recovered from the immediate financial shock caused by the economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. These measures will inevitably greatly reduce the number of creditor petitions proceeding through the courts, which ought to have the additional benefit of relieving some of the administrative burden upon both the courts and the Accountant in Bankruptcy.</div>
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The increase in the threshold for creditor petitions, if passed, will expire automatically on 30 September 2020, unless extended by the Parliament for no more than two periods of six months – so 30 September 2021 at the latest. The Scottish Ministers could bring the provisions to an end earlier than the expiry date if those are deemed no longer necessary. The Scottish Ministers would also be required by the Bill to report on the continued need for the measures, and on the use of powers in the Bill, every two months.</div>
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Nevertheless, and despite the explicitly temporary nature of these proposed changes, we still don't know what the overall economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak will be nor how long it will last. The curve may be L-shaped, rather than V or even U. The policy considerations underlying the change in the law are, expressly, those of debtor protection. Much law from Holyrood, not just provisions relating to Covid-19, has had similar underlying aims. Our Parliament does not have much of a history of <b><i>removing</i></b> protections like this. It may yet be that in the end it's felt sensible to keep the new limit and that it quietly becomes a permanent feature of our insolvency law. As with so much today, only time will tell.</div>
Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-32350484024343639242020-04-22T20:38:00.001+01:002020-04-23T10:20:10.792+01:00The first virtual court hearing in Scotland - a practitioner's view<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday, we acted for the appellant in the
first ever virtual court hearing to take place in Scotland, in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic. The hearing was an appeal to the Inner House of the
Court of Session, from a decision of the Sheriff Court in the case of Stuart
Campbell v Kezia Dugdale. The appeal was heard by The Lord President,
Lord Carloway, sitting with Lord Menzies and Lord Brodie. Craig Sandison
QC appeared for the appellant and Roddy Dunlop QC for the respondent. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The hearing had originally been scheduled to take place last
month, the day after the nationwide lock-down was announced. The new
virtual hearing date was arranged in consultation with the clerk of court and Senior
Counsels’ diaries on three week’s notice and it was agreed that parties would
submit full written submissions in advance of the hearing, to assist with the
smooth running of proceedings and to ensure that the court stipulated duration
of three hours could be adhered to.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Following a brief training session on the video conferencing
software by a member of the IT team at Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service a
week beforehand, there was then a “dress rehearsal” with judges and counsel, to
make sure everything was in place for the hearing proper, and issues, from
echoey microphones to who to contact if there should be technological glitch
during the hearing, were discussed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The video conferencing software used by the courts worked
extremely smoothly. “Panellists” – the judges, counsel and the clerk of
court - were provided with log-in details that allowed them to be viewed on
screen and to be heard. “Attendees” - such as agents, clients and members
of the press - were provided with a different link that allowed only viewing of
the proceedings, with device cameras and microphones automatically muted.
Viewing proceedings in “gridview” allowed all panellists to be seen at once, much
like a more cerebral version of the “House Parties” those of us with a wide enough social circle are becoming accustomed to during this period of social distancing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The hearing itself, once started, very quickly became
indistinguishable from one proceeding in a physical courtroom. We had
arranged with Senior Counsel beforehand to contact each other by text message,
should any issues arise where that would be required. Judges appeared to
have both hard copy and electronic papers to refer to, and were easily able to
interrupt counsel where necessary to pose any questions they had. There
was only one brief moment of panic, when Senior Counsel for the Respondent failed
to appear back on screen after a brief mid-morning break, but that was
quickly remedied. The court made avizandum (that is, will consider matters and announce its decision at a later date) but then, rather than “court
rise”, the video feed of each participant eventually unceremoniously flickered
off screen, as each “left meeting”. </div>
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In all then, a quietly historic moment in the provision of justice in Scotland. Our thanks go to everyone who worked so incredibly hard to make this happen and to make it ultimately seem so effortless.<br />
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[For some of the press and official comment on the hearing see:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52358830" target="_blank">Virtual court hears Kezia Dugdale defamation appeal</a> and <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52369709" target="_blank">The virtual world is new normal in Scottish courts</a> (BBC)<br />
<a href="https://www.lawscot.org.uk/news-and-events/legal-news/court-reports-successful-first-virtual-hearing/" target="_blank">Court reports successful first virtual hearing</a> (Law Society of Scotland)<br />
<a href="https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/legal-history-virtual-court-hears-kezia-dugdale-appeal-case-2545100" target="_blank">Legal history as 'virtual court' hears Kezia Dugdale appeal case</a> (Scotsman)<br />
<a href="http://www.scottishreview.net/MauriceSmith521a.html" target="_blank">A small piece of Scottish legal history</a> (Scottish Review)] </div>
Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-58340340872488537882020-04-22T10:06:00.000+01:002020-04-22T10:12:08.610+01:00Insolvency and the dual patrimonies – how not to repay a gratuitous alienation<br>
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We recently acted for the
successful pursuer and respondent in the case of <a href="https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/docs/default-source/cos-general-docs/pdf-docs-for-opinions/2020csih3.pdf?sfvrsn=2"><i>Yvonne
Quinn as Trustee in the sequestrated estate of John O’Boyle v Karen Brennan
[2020] CSIH 3</i></a><i>. </i>The case proceeded to a reclaiming motion<i> </i>before the
First Division of the Inner House of the Court of Session against an earlier
decision of Lord Doherty, in which he had also found in favour of the pursuer.</div>
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<b><i>Background<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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The facts of the case were not
particularly complicated, nor was there any material dispute between the
parties about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pursuer was the
trustee in sequestration of Mr O’Boyle. Mr. O'Boyle was sequestrated, at his own instance, on 11 February 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some six months prior to that, he sold a
property he owned in East Kilbride, and transferred part of the net free
proceeds of the sale, namely £190,960, to his partner, Ms Brennan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ms Brennan used the funds to purchase another
property in East Kilbride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Title was
taken in her sole name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After Mr
O’Boyle’s sequestration had ended in May 2016, that property was sold, and in
January 2017, Ms Brennan gave Mr O’Boyle a cheque for £197,462.20.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Gratuitous Alienation<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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Any insolvency practitioner
reading that factual summary will immediately be jumping up and down, shouting
“ gratuitous alienation”, for that is clearly what it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no dispute about that either from
the defender.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, the dispute
centred on the narrow point of whether or not the payment of £197,462.20 by the
defender to the debtor in January 2017, several years later and after the intervening sequestration, constituted “adequate consideration” for the
alienation. The majority of cases
in this area of law tend to focus on the “adequacy” of the consideration in
question. This case turned on the meaning of “consideration” itself.<o:p></o:p><br>
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</div><a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/2020/04/insolvency-and-dual-patrimonies-how-not.html#more">Read more »</a>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-82118483349249693772020-03-25T22:33:00.002+00:002020-03-25T22:33:19.370+00:00Covid-19 update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwByz3prtxpS6VoO3VzmC66PHJ1FYQQUk9ZnvhbPi8kdh00Y-yFKKd-AFw4ELLGSsw_khG7EPRjlrPY2RppJtrACsNesxrYJS09MDZNRkY3RcBh9lXQHqeDxdXECYq64jpu62R17yDZ1z/s1600/Sturgeon+Covid+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwByz3prtxpS6VoO3VzmC66PHJ1FYQQUk9ZnvhbPi8kdh00Y-yFKKd-AFw4ELLGSsw_khG7EPRjlrPY2RppJtrACsNesxrYJS09MDZNRkY3RcBh9lXQHqeDxdXECYq64jpu62R17yDZ1z/s320/Sturgeon+Covid+19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In line with <a href="https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/" target="_blank">the advice of Scotland's Government</a>, we are all currently working from home. We are confident that the arrangements we have put in place mean that we can continue to offer precisely the same service to clients as we have always provided. We can be contacted <a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/p/contact-us.html" target="_blank">by email exactly as before</a> and if you call our office on 0131-557 9008 you will get details of the numbers to call to speak directly to our individual lawyers. We continue to receive <a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/p/contact-us.html" target="_blank">faxes, mail (excepting only recorded or other deliveries requiring a signature) and DX deliveries to the usual number and addresses.</a><br />
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The health advice on Covid-19 issued by the Scottish National Health Service and be found <a href="https://www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus" target="_blank">here</a>.Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-58200834868678828212019-01-17T10:52:00.001+00:002019-01-17T10:52:16.611+00:00Scottish Legal Awards 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vuOVHm9DTBIrt3Tb85CG53xu_2zKrTcz9BEMkxZodFEa90J-yHe8UO6Otv6AA2TUvJ0DWVoEbGFpU7shxM_celA8bx2dK_D21z2u2HWXGzZuA_vmfzoTU59d7P0ADhpWjHGqJ_5gptsh/s1600/SLA+2019_SUBLOGO_FINALIST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="1138" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vuOVHm9DTBIrt3Tb85CG53xu_2zKrTcz9BEMkxZodFEa90J-yHe8UO6Otv6AA2TUvJ0DWVoEbGFpU7shxM_celA8bx2dK_D21z2u2HWXGzZuA_vmfzoTU59d7P0ADhpWjHGqJ_5gptsh/s320/SLA+2019_SUBLOGO_FINALIST.jpg" width="283" /></a></div>
<br />
Hot on the heels of our gaining <a href="https://hrcrecruitment.co.uk/winners-at-the-2018-law-awards/" target="_blank">Commended status</a> at the <a href="http://www.journalonline.co.uk/News/1024272.aspx#.XEBbxsHShhE" target="_blank">Law Awards of Scotland</a> ceremony in Glasgow in November, the firm has just been named as one of the six finalists in the Litigation Team of the Year section of the <a href="https://www.thelegalawards.com/sla" target="_blank">Scottish Legal Awards 2019</a>.<br />
<br />
The Scottish Legal Awards were founded in 2003 and aim to recognise excellence in Scottish law, bringing together industry experience and market knowledge to recognise the greatest achievements in the legal industry across Scotland. The independent competition is <a href="https://www.thelegalawards.com/sla/judges" target="_blank">judged by a panel of experts drawn from across the sector, including senior solicitors and advocates, industry chiefs and current and past officers from the Law Society and civil service</a>. The 2019 competition attracted a record high volume of entries and number of competing firms and this year's finalists were selected by the judging panel following assessment of the highest number of entries in the competition’s 16-year history.<br />
<br />
We're delighted to be among them.Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-76571435388226214642018-11-23T12:00:00.000+00:002018-11-25T01:03:06.191+00:00Leading firm, Commercial Litigation - Legal 500 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTm9bPWt1znvuHaVjV3jSSaZOwTqGwIu65j5jkSyB388JKDtrp6vyDoJvGhQvH7huYYTkzc_4sk-t4Y53d5PD07gPuZdrs6wUYCfyvCu2BWmBt3-N5XewSftXMgui91tZ1tb7frh2Uxfby/s1600/legal+500+2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTm9bPWt1znvuHaVjV3jSSaZOwTqGwIu65j5jkSyB388JKDtrp6vyDoJvGhQvH7huYYTkzc_4sk-t4Y53d5PD07gPuZdrs6wUYCfyvCu2BWmBt3-N5XewSftXMgui91tZ1tb7frh2Uxfby/s1600/legal+500+2018.jpg" /></a></div>
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We are delighted that Legal 500 have, for the sixth year in a row, ranked us as one of the country's leading commercial litigation firms. They comment:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Halliday Campbell WS has David Halliday and assistant solicitor Lynn McMahon as its main contacts; both are Signet-accredited specialists in commercial litigation. The firm's strategic focus on this area means it is is well-placed to assist clients with all types of contentious issues, including corporate and commercial disputes, insolvency-related matters, property litigation and IP/IT cases. The team's client roster spans a wide range of industries, such as hospitality and leisure, telecommunications, construction and retail, among many others."</i></blockquote>
<br />Legal 500 explains :<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"The purpose of The Legal 500 is to help corporate counsel find the right advisors through our law firm rankings and editorial, which are free of charge to access on this site. Our rankings are based on feedback from 250,000 in-house peers and our access to law firms deals and confidential matters, which are independently assessed by our researchers.<br /><br />The only way a law firm can get into our ranking tables and commentary is on merit - if our researchers think it is good enough for inclusion.<br />...</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>These rankings reflect detailed analysis of law firm submissions and thousands of interviews with GCs and private practice lawyers, conducted by our team of experienced researchers in accordance with our guidelines...Every firm ranked – and individual mentioned – in the UK Legal 500 UK Solicitors guide is ‘recommended’."</i></blockquote>
Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-89281100515347295322018-10-19T16:43:00.003+01:002018-10-19T16:45:45.157+01:00Law Awards of Scotland 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELHyxtqGRar-Vq_4r7RTs9hoenrczcKhC8AQ-_e2xpN7b4ummoMm3JJe46kV7RACjC200eU895yQ8iAn2R6B-eqlkjvw35qwoTE848pmyCevHqkBuReH75FGhQzkMfukNqyWDblD8tamT/s1600/law-AWARDS-logo_finalist2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELHyxtqGRar-Vq_4r7RTs9hoenrczcKhC8AQ-_e2xpN7b4ummoMm3JJe46kV7RACjC200eU895yQ8iAn2R6B-eqlkjvw35qwoTE848pmyCevHqkBuReH75FGhQzkMfukNqyWDblD8tamT/s320/law-AWARDS-logo_finalist2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We're delighted to learn that we've been shortlisted as finalists in the Litigation Team of the Year category for this year's Law Awards of Scotland.<br />
<br />
Now in their 14th year, the Law Awards of Scotland were once famously dubbed by <a href="https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/barristers/helena-kennedy-qc" target="_blank">Helena Kennedy Q.C</a>. as "<i>the Oscars for the profession</i>". The <a href="http://newsquestscotlandevents.com/events/lawawards/" target="_blank">Awards recognise the firms and individuals judged to be reaching new standards of professional excellence within the Scottish legal system across more than 20 categories</a>.
<br />
<br />
This year’s awards are being held in association with a number of sponsors, including the Law Society of Scotland.<br />
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<br />Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-63773472913536210532018-09-06T11:12:00.000+01:002018-11-25T00:43:48.662+00:00Stuart Campbell v Kezia Dugdale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtatZx_k_Xe3dQHTX-Gcfd20rbNl3tbh5RlL-xnhbGyonEWWx8VX-DSI39IDiGFO6onzokG469BdBtzXrmfRoDYStJJzwV8kAgSvrmBeZuLQXIQ3gnFmEaC1YWd8uUcIB3u3z_tzHJWf8v/s1600/Wings+Dugdale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="612" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtatZx_k_Xe3dQHTX-Gcfd20rbNl3tbh5RlL-xnhbGyonEWWx8VX-DSI39IDiGFO6onzokG469BdBtzXrmfRoDYStJJzwV8kAgSvrmBeZuLQXIQ3gnFmEaC1YWd8uUcIB3u3z_tzHJWf8v/s320/Wings+Dugdale.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sheriff McGowan's decision, allowing a proof before answer in the defamation action raised by Stuart Campbell, author of the high profile political website Wings Over Scotland, against Kezia Dugdale, former leader of the Labour Party in Scotland, in which we act for the pursuer, is now <a href="https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/search-judgments/judgment?id=972957a7-8980-69d2-b500-ff0000d74aa7" target="_blank">published on the Scottish Courts and Tribunals website</a>. It sets out in detail the Sheriff's view of the issues arising and the reasons for his decision to refuse the defender's application to dismiss the case without hearing any evidence. The action will now proceed to a hearing of the evidence, probably some time next year.<br />
<br />
<br />
*<i>Update 17 September 2018: Ms. Dugdale's solicitors have lodged an appeal against Sheriff McGowan's decision, which will now proceed through the Sheriff Appeal Court.</i><br />
<br />
<i>*<i>Further update 7 November 2018: Ms. Dugdale has now withdrawn her
appeal and the case is expected to proceed to a hearing of the evidence in the early part of 2019.</i> </i>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-14887545425964697402017-11-06T14:38:00.000+00:002017-11-06T14:38:10.649+00:00Scottish Business Pledge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegzYRUW0GFQK6UY6_qstEgrB_LQQ0g6kpN2vaMT75TvXZZE9eNSyjVNru4xJu32z5vXvAUb_bVW_3ouNy9b2t2yVDZ0q03U87-cP511hDFulymPCiJIs1MGlyIhDC5km3RdXVtXHRLy2w/s1600/Scottish-Business-Pledge-Logo-Full-RGB-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="1600" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegzYRUW0GFQK6UY6_qstEgrB_LQQ0g6kpN2vaMT75TvXZZE9eNSyjVNru4xJu32z5vXvAUb_bVW_3ouNy9b2t2yVDZ0q03U87-cP511hDFulymPCiJIs1MGlyIhDC5km3RdXVtXHRLy2w/s320/Scottish-Business-Pledge-Logo-Full-RGB-3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Business-Industry/support/SBP" target="_blank">The Scottish Business Pledge</a> is a partnership between Government and business and represents a shared ambition of boosting productivity, competitiveness, sustainable employment, and workforce engagement and development. At the start of Living Wage Week, and as the Scottish Government announces that the living wage will rise to £8.75, we're proud to have been one of the first legal firms to sign up to the Pledge, which now has the public endorsement of over 400 companies across the country. You can find details of how to offer your support and <a href="https://scottishbusinesspledge.scot/your-pledge/" target="_blank">make your own pledge here</a>.Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-85659775853468867082017-10-11T14:35:00.000+01:002017-10-29T15:10:36.247+00:00Leading firm, Commercial Litigation - Legal 500 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr1AissY4hkUeE-FXhTzOq7iS1jnuwtkX6CnVrtqUFS7NZsOTSko3q72GzdpNqj3mf9A4yFqj5UhSC87gdG-JKbMejfR-221_pa_E84rsuItpMLLxbN6l7fY1IYdu8MejcJPIUXoz0whT/s1600/Legal+500+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr1AissY4hkUeE-FXhTzOq7iS1jnuwtkX6CnVrtqUFS7NZsOTSko3q72GzdpNqj3mf9A4yFqj5UhSC87gdG-JKbMejfR-221_pa_E84rsuItpMLLxbN6l7fY1IYdu8MejcJPIUXoz0whT/s1600/Legal+500+2017.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are delighted that Legal 500 have again today ranked us as one of the country's leading commercial litigation firms. They comment:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"<i>Commercial litigation boutique Halliday Campbell WS advises on contentious issues arising from various types of commercial agreements, including joint venture and consumer credit agreements. It also manages disputes associated with breaches of directors’ duties, shareholder actions and corporate governance. Other areas of strength include contentious insolvency, IP/IT and property. David Halliday and assistant Lynn McMahon are both Signet-accredited specialists in commercial litigation. Notwithstanding its size, the team is frequently instructed in high-value cases for clients active in sectors such as construction, retail and telecommunications.</i>"</div>
Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-55300703502502441382015-09-16T17:09:00.002+01:002015-09-16T17:18:29.470+01:00Leading firm, Commercial Litigation - Legal 500 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJPt4AZP3k6ZZolMcMXBKzMimcpwT_v539B-VtTGrGsNkOzgiZQEAQlcSuQRsmhwdR0hDQbVlBXGTccwlOMxmZsY7W3664akSzC7VKswV8klZ_KycAKHFFnNZc5bDF6Wx-oJ0T_4syNuY/s1600/Legal+500+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJPt4AZP3k6ZZolMcMXBKzMimcpwT_v539B-VtTGrGsNkOzgiZQEAQlcSuQRsmhwdR0hDQbVlBXGTccwlOMxmZsY7W3664akSzC7VKswV8klZ_KycAKHFFnNZc5bDF6Wx-oJ0T_4syNuY/s1600/Legal+500+2015.jpg" /></a></div>
Legal 500 have today confirmed that we are once again<a href="http://www.legal500.com/c/scotland/dispute-resolution/commercial-litigation"> listed as one of the country's leading commercial litigation firms.</a>They explain:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"For 27 years, The Legal 500 has been analysing the capabilities of
law firms across the world, with a comprehensive research programme
revised and updated every year to bring the most up-to-date vision of
the global legal market. The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law
firms in 106 jurisdictions...</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The rankings are based on a series of criteria, but simply put, we
highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting
edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. Our research is based
on feedback from 250,000 clients worldwide, submissions from law firms
and interviews with leading private practice lawyers, and a team of
researchers who have unrivalled experience in the legal market."</blockquote>
<br />
Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-40161066923591752782015-09-09T14:54:00.000+01:002015-09-16T15:19:46.446+01:00Litigation Firm of the Year - Law Awards of Scotland 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-cEUlBfqKrPrIjG-Xwmu1KZpKU3BhHCJ70I-T5CobjakKVJVBf7Wy3PYqWfP3J4sOMwh8vOH39SD3ill2akdkRSdL51WUo-lf2IIqL7NyogZNchGQ4xW9ubJZdTAVvDCs97lAW0vnuyd/s1600/LA-Winner-badge2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-cEUlBfqKrPrIjG-Xwmu1KZpKU3BhHCJ70I-T5CobjakKVJVBf7Wy3PYqWfP3J4sOMwh8vOH39SD3ill2akdkRSdL51WUo-lf2IIqL7NyogZNchGQ4xW9ubJZdTAVvDCs97lAW0vnuyd/s1600/LA-Winner-badge2015.jpg" /></a></div>
The <a href="http://www.thelawawards.com/">Law Awards of Scotland</a> is an annual celebration of excellence within Scotland's legal profession. The organisers conduct research amongst industry, clients and peers and
then invite those firms who meet the standards to submit entries for
award. From those firms, a short-list of nominees is produced. This year, the judges included a <a href="http://www.thelawawards.com/judges/43">Queen's Counsel</a>, a <a href="http://www.thelawawards.com/judges/50">Professor of Private Law from the University of Edinburgh</a>, a <a href="http://www.thelawawards.com/judges/47">former Chief Executive of the Law Society of Scotland</a> and t<a href="http://www.thelawawards.com/judges/45">he BBC's Principal Solicitor in Scotland</a>: an impressive and discerning panel in anyone's book.<br />
<br />
On Thursday, it was announced that we had won the award for <a href="http://www.thelawawards.com/results/127">Litigation Firm of the Year 2015.</a> We were described as "a firm that stood out for the judges" for the "recognisable personal achievement" of our lawyers.<br />
<br />
We'd like to thank the judges, and the clients and peers to whom they spoke, for what is an immense honour. <br />
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<br />Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-86025633459733319762015-06-23T16:30:00.001+01:002015-06-23T16:31:47.778+01:00Lawyer Monthly - Legal Awards 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img alt="" border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfni6UwgvDeqja_yZzha7tIJtJTdpIDoPViO64DyfYncay5hBqi74kTeX1y3G25fYQSZxgd7cr5y2y02EyM_nrhlz-5xBI43KNNlLiAk2h7s2ped8mT2uca4CsEV2fIfn8cnt0tR0b-_K/s320/Lawyer+Monthly+-+Legal+Awards+2015+2.jpg" title="" width="320" /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp5i0dAtxvLbuPMZWK2GjYfz9fXqu3jtFmgdeYhXL1X0bydkoTa12w1BcQQfb8co060XT9TJAW9b63g5FMX3rRf_DWBAJ5WzCptiAlqHx8zDcwBxMS_D_bJ8mvbJZc6xB9t5Ep2V8aVApi/s1600/Lawyer+Monthly+-+Legal+Awards+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
We were delighted to have learned today from <a href="http://www.lawyer-monthly.com/">Lawyer Monthly</a> that they have shortlisted us as finalists in the Boutique Commercial Litigation Law Firm of the Year UK category of their <a href="http://legalawards.lawyer-monthly.com/">Legal Awards 2015</a>.<br />
<br />
They explain:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Recognising achievement and success in the legal industry, Lawyer Monthly is pleased to unveil the finalists for its 2015 Legal Awards. The finalists are made up from a wide spectrum of practice areas across many jurisdictions. The Legal Awards are a global celebration of excellence in the profession across private practice, the public sector, commerce and industry, and the Bar.</i>"</blockquote>
<br />
Quite an honour, considering that the competition is UK-wide, and further welcome recognition of our reputation in the field.<br />
<br />Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-73895119909274398132015-05-21T09:33:00.000+01:002015-06-23T16:32:22.310+01:00Who "owns" a souvenir plot?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhregYqAaN_cdah0dcbY5cmrclwTPEu-9K1H6LyzxWQQMxyf5mdEv6EPGj7bWLC40OzV-Bvpn2-9K0RRZpbO03MEVnbPJCUk51GNm9lsEHIORXH6zDelEzLlOzACVu3Pw9RTDo9Kz6TwEd5/s1600/file0001570197620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhregYqAaN_cdah0dcbY5cmrclwTPEu-9K1H6LyzxWQQMxyf5mdEv6EPGj7bWLC40OzV-Bvpn2-9K0RRZpbO03MEVnbPJCUk51GNm9lsEHIORXH6zDelEzLlOzACVu3Pw9RTDo9Kz6TwEd5/s320/file0001570197620.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<br>
Some would have you believe that Scots law allows anyone to be the
Laird of, if not all he surveys, at least a square foot. And entering
the realms of aristocracy is said to be astonishingly cheap. One
site advertises souvenir plots “from just £29.99” and claims that, in
return, you can “obtain a title that was previously available only
to Scottish landed gentry” and use a clan crest, coat-of-arms and
tartan. By “Scottish tradition”, it's claimed, ownership of the
plot “legally allows” you, or someone you love, to use the
courtesy title of Laird, Lord or Lady and many people will apparently
“update their driving licence, credit cards and such like” to
reflect their new status. I'd pause here to note that the law of
Scotland legally allows you to use the courtesy title
“Messiah”, and to update accordingly as much paperwork as you like, for
nothing. Leaving that to one side, though, what is the legal truth
behind these offers of instant ennoblement?<br>
<br>
<a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/2012/06/who-owns-souvenir-plot.html#more">Read more »</a>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-14996611064263044482015-03-12T20:43:00.000+00:002015-06-23T16:32:31.944+01:00"Without prejudice" correspondence in Scotland and England: a divergent approach<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzr-M2OFW4puPxXL-_GeoFPnbEakp07hjFqNz_-UGTW_VUJD-XpjnzjIFuhwCVKDhN3wi8ewaSxLZzeCUxTRTEorD8-iKWiK0d1rBLCbEbMhW_ntYpJ9asdF_in-VseWh6AuUmUhst5ixq/s1600/flickr-3238629251-original.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzr-M2OFW4puPxXL-_GeoFPnbEakp07hjFqNz_-UGTW_VUJD-XpjnzjIFuhwCVKDhN3wi8ewaSxLZzeCUxTRTEorD8-iKWiK0d1rBLCbEbMhW_ntYpJ9asdF_in-VseWh6AuUmUhst5ixq/s320/flickr-3238629251-original.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It makes the sales pitch all but
impossible, but you have to be honest. Litigation is costly,
time-consuming, stressful and unpredictable in outcome, however clear
the facts and law might seem to be. Clients can think that when
their lawyer points this out to them it is just a back-covering
exercise in case things go wrong later, or that the risk isn't really
that great because the facts and the law are so clearly on their
side. It can therefore be helpful to put it this way. Most
disagreements in life settle without a lawyer being instructed. Most
legal disputes are resolved without the need for court action. Most
actions that are raised settle before judgment. So, the cases that do
end up going to judgment after proof or debate comprise the tiny
percentage where both parties have decided that the time, worry, cost
and risk of proceeding all the way are worth it because they're going
to win in the end. And 100% of the time, one of them loses.</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
For all those reasons, commercial
litigators know that one of their first duties is to try to persuade
their client not to use their services at all, at least in the sense
of avoiding litigation. Even once action is raised, they must always
be thinking about whether an acceptable settlement can be negotiated
before the fee explosion that accompanies a proof hearing. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/2012/11/without-prejudice-correspondence-in.html#more">Read more »</a>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-19923003564404242942014-10-01T22:30:00.003+01:002014-10-01T22:30:39.290+01:00Legal 500 recommended<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31HZFPVLbE2esDnfSOSplxNR_B3rmJQisL7n2ZqLsCAvsuuahwxokeQ0o527rpHl_5S8d8hYueDhbQxHhIIV0x1uWu5psqcXlCJcVRULL_csW4L5e6LU2zj2eTPhyphenhyphen_v6m81muDZlnyZIQ/s1600/Legal+500+UK_leading_firm_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31HZFPVLbE2esDnfSOSplxNR_B3rmJQisL7n2ZqLsCAvsuuahwxokeQ0o527rpHl_5S8d8hYueDhbQxHhIIV0x1uWu5psqcXlCJcVRULL_csW4L5e6LU2zj2eTPhyphenhyphen_v6m81muDZlnyZIQ/s1600/Legal+500+UK_leading_firm_2014.jpg" /></a></div>
We were very pleased to learn today that we have <a href="http://www.legal500.com/firms/4027-halliday-campbell-ws/6184-edinburgh">again been recommended </a>as a <a href="http://www.legal500.com/c/scotland/dispute-resolution/commercial-litigation">leading commercial litigation firm</a> by Legal 500.<br /><br />Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-14671917942891268152014-08-15T15:04:00.000+01:002014-09-27T12:36:04.196+01:00Harassment and the service industry: let the seller beware?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMn2Lx3H2EipouNyC_XmWmMH4EqoD30mfBX7-ypATy0JNrMFf2uob9lAAAO3p7y0PirUEjfiA0PK6vqoAwyQJqGnyI-y2ML2XzYy_rO8j3BL0fMHn0LZvXVdCyus5AHcuGOeddkKIWoVoh/s1600/closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMn2Lx3H2EipouNyC_XmWmMH4EqoD30mfBX7-ypATy0JNrMFf2uob9lAAAO3p7y0PirUEjfiA0PK6vqoAwyQJqGnyI-y2ML2XzYy_rO8j3BL0fMHn0LZvXVdCyus5AHcuGOeddkKIWoVoh/s200/closed.jpg" height="150" width="200"></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If there has been a
more stirring introduction to a court opinion than the following, I
haven't read it recently:</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=4961390540298963085" name="para1"></a>“It
is one of the glories of this country that every now and then one of
its citizens is prepared to take a stand against the big battalions
of government or industry. Such a person is Lisa Ferguson, the
claimant in this case.”</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So said the English
Court of Appeal in 2009 when it <a href="http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2009/46.html" target="_blank">upheld Ms. Ferguson's complaint against British Gas Trading Ltd</a>, brought under the <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/40" target="_blank">Protection from Harassment Act 1997</a>. To some, Ms. Ferguson may well be a hero; to
others, perhaps less so. In any event, on closer consideration, the
approach the courts have adopted in this and other applications under
the Act is clearly broadening the scope of its applicability far
beyond the original intention and, moreover, in ways of direct and
critical relevance to the day to day work that clients and their
lawyers do. </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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<a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/2012/09/harassment-and-service-industry-let.html#more">Read more »</a>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-82181330489910291952014-04-03T20:50:00.000+01:002014-09-27T12:39:06.163+01:00The lex Aquilia and the negligent barber<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8U7ovPhfNWgxsKqjak98L_V2vu8KlwLvnA5c5qz4wzzjvA0dCohjkhGXyuQRkkg3jFYGdxiEZuwuj_3PCmzO0ZvntkM0-pG8H6np43SfmHGvs0QKPlJzeGU5br1qhnjqzQHHK_mUrdTmu/s1600/file000877944275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8U7ovPhfNWgxsKqjak98L_V2vu8KlwLvnA5c5qz4wzzjvA0dCohjkhGXyuQRkkg3jFYGdxiEZuwuj_3PCmzO0ZvntkM0-pG8H6np43SfmHGvs0QKPlJzeGU5br1qhnjqzQHHK_mUrdTmu/s200/file000877944275.jpg" height="200" width="138"></a></div>
We usually aim to give useful comment and analysis of recent legal developments or topical issues so this post is a bit of a diversion. I can't pretend that it deals with the stuff of current legal moment, but the story of how law evolves is an interesting topic and I am on holiday for the week. The weather has been pretty awful and whilst I know some people whose vacation reading has been restricted to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Shades-Grey-Book-Trilogy/dp/0345803485" target="_blank">the adventures of the billionaire Christian Grey</a>, I've been re-reading the <a href="http://www.constitution.org/sps/sps.htm" target="_blank">Digest of Justinian</a>, including the section dealing with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lex_Aquilia" target="_blank">lex Aquilia</a>. Bear with me: I hope it's not as dry as it sounds.<br>
<a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/2012/07/lex-aquilia-and-negligent-barber.html#more">Read more »</a>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-8022831256323324202014-02-13T18:23:00.000+00:002014-09-27T12:40:21.442+01:00Registering an English judgment for enforcement in Scotland<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh32Ls3QapT7a-GmS8aFPWBC5UGEUdCvnw5qqdT7TPbBDT-KDpXyEWQ7inCdEH1V4pZa0IDgHaZ9eoId7flQSHs3RzcNU8kVlQKQcGQMO1aM7moPdrGWJB8WSfw1wX2ABjo3DOU08UDDlJ/s1600/DSCF0927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh32Ls3QapT7a-GmS8aFPWBC5UGEUdCvnw5qqdT7TPbBDT-KDpXyEWQ7inCdEH1V4pZa0IDgHaZ9eoId7flQSHs3RzcNU8kVlQKQcGQMO1aM7moPdrGWJB8WSfw1wX2ABjo3DOU08UDDlJ/s200/DSCF0927.JPG" height="200" width="150"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">English solicitors are used to being instructed to raise
proceedings against opponents who are based in Scotland, very often by clients
who don't see there's a problem.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We
lawyers know that, as legal jurisdictions, Scotland and England are quite
distinct. There's really little reason, though, why our clients need know or
care, at least until they have to consult us. </span></div>
</div>
<a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/2012/02/registering-english-judgments-for.html#more">Read more »</a>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-27617618274569341202013-09-25T10:12:00.001+01:002013-09-25T12:33:50.416+01:00Legal 500 recommended<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjshhEaw06jqcIPOK-AzimzF32uh1NlBCXI2SWGEXQd-eOTxtNONfLAE_obhShCQ_upHg05vZtzXt3_Sie-Vic-zaG5kvQWd4nl5WZbJJ9aZNNbEgfRDpnRYsqlSmfgOCtrR9sqda_Dpk/s1600/Legal-500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjshhEaw06jqcIPOK-AzimzF32uh1NlBCXI2SWGEXQd-eOTxtNONfLAE_obhShCQ_upHg05vZtzXt3_Sie-Vic-zaG5kvQWd4nl5WZbJJ9aZNNbEgfRDpnRYsqlSmfgOCtrR9sqda_Dpk/s200/Legal-500.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
We're delighted to learn this morning that for the first time <a href="http://www.legal500.com/firms/4027/offices/6184">we've</a> been <a href="http://www.legal500.com/c/scotland/dispute-resolution/commercial-litigation">recommended in the commercial litigation</a> category by <a href="http://www.legal500.com/about">Legal 500</a>. The Legal 500 series is a highly regarded independent guide to the top law firms. It provides comprehensive worldwide
coverage on legal services providers in over a hundred
countries and is used by commercial and private clients, corporate counsel, CEOs,
CFOs and professional advisers as well as by other referrers of work
both nationally and internationally. Recommendation is a valued endorsement as the only way a law firm can get recommended is
merit alone: if the researchers think it's good enough for
inclusion.Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-25927194966973749632013-07-19T11:54:00.000+01:002013-07-21T11:56:59.531+01:00Law Awards of Scotland 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thelawawards.com/"><img border="0" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gPGF90SJZcKx1tQ5sAntTwfi8ed4lasvz73unn_KKhgMcuELI2EP7fXEv4CeqxRZPBFPt8ztNxHRSB21oywjNbyGiqJ8DjLwvf5VMJr8hVtHlqyTlbUtkl_DGdn6xJl-v49kRof30_4P/s200/Law+Awards+2013.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
We've been nominated in two categories in this year's <a href="http://www.thelawawards.com/nominations">Law Awards of Scotland</a>: Litigation Firm of the Year and Sole Practitioner of the Year. The organisers explain:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<i>The Law Awards of Scotland is the premier event in the Scottish legal
calendar. A gala formal event where the legal profession’s brightest
minds and finest practitioners celebrate the accomplishments of those
firms, organisations and individuals who have achieved excellence in the
profession in Scotland</i>."</blockquote>
<br />
Modesty means we couldn't possibly comment, but entry to the Awards is by invitation only, following research conducted amongst peers and clients, so it's doubly gratifying to get through to the finals in September. Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-10591070581482526332013-04-27T16:31:00.000+01:002013-04-29T17:07:14.794+01:00Direct marketing by text: have you consented?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.yesscotland.net/why_vote_yes" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXz8A7pA3v1aAdhK1XAu6mHyIsUumwIy9nISMzTpayGSnJFByOo90LxHZ8ZQSgjPL16pMPT6flUomiNq8NWKvVBL40i87JNXLxfNose5NPWQ5CNqGIQEtwNVrdYPKtDkzoS-X2xywIuCS/s200/yesBlue_whiteBG.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
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In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_independence_referendum,_2014">September 2014 independence referendum</a>, voters in Scotland will answer the question: "<a href="http://www.yesscotland.net/why_vote_yes">Should Scotland be an independent country?</a>". Between now and then, there's a long campaign of persuasion, for both sides. Each will of course try to get its message out to as many potential voters as it can and will use social media and other modern forms of communication as well as the more traditional door-knocking and leafleting. There is, however,<a href="http://storify.com/national/who-are-better-together-and-why-are-they-texting-m.html"> disquiet at the moment from some who are unhappy at having received text messages</a> from the <a href="http://www.bettertogether.net/">anti-independence "Better Together" organisation</a>. According to the office of the Information Commissioner, the issue of "<i>[s]pam texts...continues to be the one of the biggest concerns to consumer</i>s" and things have reached the point where Better Together has felt <a href="http://bettertogether.net/blog/entry/why-have-i-been-sent-a-text-message-about-the-referendum">compelled to post an explanation on its website</a>, aimed presumably at the potentially disgruntled. As Better Together recognises:<br>
<br>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<i>I’m sure that the most obvious question you will have if you have received this message is ‘where did they get my mobile number from?</i>’"</blockquote>
<br>
Now you might have thought their hopes would have been higher than that. Perhaps "<i>Thanks for the message; what can I do to help your campaign?</i>" Leaving aside the wisdom of persisting with a marketing campaign that has to have at its heart a page to mollify those who have been upset by it, what about the law of all this?<br>
<br>
Better Together <a href="http://bettertogether.net/blog/entry/why-have-i-been-sent-a-text-message-about-the-referendum">explain</a>:<br>
<a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/2013/04/directing-marketing-by-text-have-you.html#more">Read more »</a>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961390540298963085.post-5269507808207664702013-03-29T12:23:00.000+00:002013-04-21T21:56:50.799+01:00May you live in interesting times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfak_a7_Jm_QSPXoorkpMIj7PPuUaaHW0oYMoaeRwAPuGh44L0bLvV3nwvCZqEpLYCUbC6qZxFL7qy3gA4WWDyDhSvrtABtzyscAzEdKfu3Gvl1Tf6Hy0jYkB8rbmPGhfSftUO3QcA98X/s1600/file000137071684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfak_a7_Jm_QSPXoorkpMIj7PPuUaaHW0oYMoaeRwAPuGh44L0bLvV3nwvCZqEpLYCUbC6qZxFL7qy3gA4WWDyDhSvrtABtzyscAzEdKfu3Gvl1Tf6Hy0jYkB8rbmPGhfSftUO3QcA98X/s200/file000137071684.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
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It turns out that the "ancient" "Chinese" curse my be neither. Though quoted by Robert Kennedy in a speech he gave in 1966, <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20071016060103/http://www.noblenet.org/reference/inter.htm">no original, Chinese language version has been found</a>. But beyond doubt, Scottish lawyers live in a time when there is interest in interest. The wheels of justice grind slow. Today, all commercial litigators know that a creditor who raises proceedings is entitled, as of right, to seek interest on the sum sued for, to reflect that fact, amongst others: "<i>together with interest on that sum at the rate of 8 per cent a year from the date of citation to follow hereon until payment</i>" is a phrase that most will have in any style initial writ (though some of us will be old enough to remember changing that "8" from the earlier "15"). What is less well-known is that this right is a relatively new one. <br>
<br>
<a href="https://www.hallidaycampbell.com/2013/04/may-you-live-in-interesting-times.html#more">Read more »</a>Halliday Campbellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14540080934028209043noreply@blogger.com0