Jan Contents
President's message: the Society commits to working with the Executive this year on the new complaints system, as it already is on legal aid and house purchasers' packs
By giving up complaints handling the Society will restore relations with the profession, but the Executive has a challenge to devise a fair system
Many firms, especially smaller practices, overlook the need for an up to date partnership agreement to help resolve issues that arise on changes in the partnership
The Chancellor's volte-face over self-invested personal pensions, and its effect
December 2005 was a watershed month for Scots family law - but there are still areas where the law has not achieved full separation between church and state
The proposed planning gain supplement as revealed in the government's consultation, and what the Scottish Executive should do in response
A mediator attempts to dispel some popular misconceptions surrounding the process
Three law students reflect on their experience at a recent foreign summer school and its relevance to legal practice
Review of the Scottish Legal Aid Board's online pilot for advice and assistance cases, a system practitioners are recommended to try
Significant Scottish cases where IT has already made conduct of the proceedings much easier - setting the scene for a forthcoming court practitioners' IT forum
The role of the knowledge management partner, and why and how to form a KM strategy
A bird flu pandemic would hit the legal sector as hard as any - but firms can take some steps now to be prepared
Overview of the past year's risk management articles, with a quiz on some of the points covered
How insurance companies can help with information needed to deal with complaints about endowment policies
How a lacuna in the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 is affecting the introduction of taking the evidence of child witnesses by commissioner
The additional tax burden following the changes to assessing work in progress can be spread over three years
Summary of EU developments on working time; money laundering; cross-border payment orders
Chairman of the Scottish Legal Aid Board responds to recent comments from the Society and others about the Board's policies and practices
Latest civil cases, including parties' designations; decree by default; an advocate's responsibilities; interdict; jurisdiction in family actions; witnesses' reports
The scenes that surrounded the passing of the Licensing (Scotland) Bill do not augur well for its sensible implementation
Interesting issues could arise if the UK Government and Scottish Executive end up at odds over the future for nuclear power
Another major reform launches at Holyrood in the shape of the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc (Scoland) Bill
Will the EU Commission's deregulation action plan help or hinder business in Europe?
Reports relating to Michael Charles Gray; Richard Douglas McKenzie Shepherd
Reviews of sites providing information on mediation
Review of The Principles of International Tax Planning (IFS)
In just over a year's time automated registration of title to land will be a reality, and solicitors should start preparing now or be left at a disadvantage
The technology needed to support automated registration of title is straightforward provided intending users have an up to date computer operating system