11/Apr/2008 | | The Scottish Family Business Association - Family Business Conference
Sponsored by WJM
WJM and its Family Business Team are proud to be sponsoring the first Scottish Family Business Association Conference which will be held at EICA, Ratho, Edinburgh on Wednesday 18th June 2008.
Designed by members of family businesses who have experienced generational change, the Conference is aimed at business families and family businesses and concentrates on the specific needs of a family in business together.
When members of the same family work together a unique set of challenges and adventures present themselves. This Conference will give you unprecendented access to speakers from successful family businesses to hear how they applied best practice to tackle a number of inter-related family and business issues. The day also allows you to network with other family businesses to share knowledge and experience.
Our Family Business Team will be there on the day and we look forward to speaking to you.
Download a brochure, complete with booking form here: SFBA Conference Brochure and Booking Form More information from WJM's Head of Family Business Services, Graham Bell |
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10/Apr/2008 | | Employment Briefing - April 2008 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at April 2008 |
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09/Apr/2008 | | HMRC Enquiry window From 6 April 2008 the date you file your tax return will be the relevant date for HMRC opening an enquiry.
The rules were such that you could lodge your tax return early, but the enquiry window would still run from the following 31 January, for instance, if you lodged your 2007 tax return relating to tax year 2006/07 on 30 September 2007, the enquiry period would run to 31 January 2009, however under the recent changes if you lodge your 2008 tax return on 30 September 2008, the enquiry period will only run to 30 September 2009.
Please therefore be aware of the new deadline ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE YOU FILE YOUR TAX RETURN
More information on WJM's tax team from Brendan Kelly |
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29/Mar/2008 | | Calling all Innovators - £50,000 to be won The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) is calling for entries for their innovation Award.
Presented annually to a young innovator, the Award recognises work which has the potential to improve Scotland’s social and economic well-being.
Angus MacLeod, WJM’s technology expert, commented, “Scots have always been great innovators – our roll call of world changing inventions includes now very ordinary items such as postage stamps, vacuum flasks and Bovril alongside ultrasound, microwaves and cloned mammals. This award is recognition of our innovative nature and we would encourage individuals to enter.”
WJM plays a role in helping innovators through helping them protect, commercialise and license their technology. Probably the most famous sheep in the world, Dolly - the world’s first cloned mammal, was a client of the firm.
Details of the Award can be found here.
More information on WJM's technology team from Angus MacLeod |
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28/Mar/2008 | | PodLaw! Updates Listen to all the latest on the Employment Law front with PodLaw! - the podcasts from WJM.
Recently updated with significant articles on the Working Time Regulations, Sex Discrimination and Disability Discrimination, PodLaw! allows you to catch up with changes in this fast moving field quickly and easily. Hear the latest issues here.
PodLaw! The audio Employment Law library on the web from WJM |
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28/Mar/2008 | | iTech March 2008 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - March 2008 |
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27/Mar/2008 | | Employment Briefing - March 2008 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at March 2008 |
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28/Feb/2008 | | iTech February 2008 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - February 2008 |
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28/Feb/2008 | | Employment Briefing - February 2008 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at February 2008 |
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15/Feb/2008 | | Do you prepare your own tax return? If so, you may wish to consider the recent changes for the future of tax returns
With effect from 6 April 2008,
- HMRC will no longer accept manually completed 2007/08 substitute tax returns.
- HMRC approved paper tax returns must be lodged by 31 October 2008.
- On-line tax returns can still be lodged up to the 31 January 2009 filing date.
There will be some circumstances where approved substitutes will still be accepted, such as the repayment claim form R40, together with a minority of taxpayers for whom the on-line facility is not yet compatible.
More information from Brendan Kelly |
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25/Jan/2008 | | Employment Briefing - January 2008 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at January 2008 |
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25/Jan/2008 | | iTech January 2008 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - January 2008 |
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19/Dec/2007 | | iTech Christmas 2007 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - Christmas 2007 |
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19/Dec/2007 | | Employment Briefing - December 2007 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at December 2007 |
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28/Nov/2007 | | Employment Briefing - November 2007 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at November 2007 |
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23/Nov/2007 | | iTech November 2007 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - November 2007 |
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19/Nov/2007 | | 2014 Commonwealth Games "Licensed to Sell"? On Friday 9th November 2007, it was announced that Glasgow would be the host city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. This ended a two year campaign by politicians, sports men and women and business leaders to bring the games to Glasgow.
On top of the opportunity to bring a large sporting event to Glasgow, and the hopes of urban regeneration in the East End, there are exciting business opportunities. Opportunities that will bring around £300 million of investment in the run up to the Games; see the creation of 1,000 jobs and bring an estimated 100,000 visitors to the Glasgow area during the Games. It is predicted that Scotland will receive a net gain of £80 million pounds with £26 million coming to Glasgow itself. There will also be a predicted 4% rise in tourism over the following three years which could bring an extra £30 million to the area.
However, businesses in Glasgow and beyond hoping to capitalise on the Games should be aware of a few spanners in the works. The spanners are hidden in the new Glasgow Commonwealth Games Bill being tabled by the Scottish Government to make provision for the Games.
The Bill will make it an offence to be involved in any street trading and advertising in the vicinity of a Games event.
A Games event will be any event held as part of the Games and any event held before or after the Games as specified by order of the Scottish Ministers.
The ban on advertising is to stop so called "ambush marketing" as seen at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Here the main rival of the Games major sponsor bought up all the advertising boards around the stadium and advertised their product. Needless to say, having paid millions of dollars to sponsor the Olympic Games, the Coca Cola company was somewhat incandescent to see bitter rival PepsiCo's advertising all around the Games site.
However, here in Glasgow, the advertising caught by this offence is not only on billboards but all "promotional communication's" which, as the organisers are doing, can be interpreted very liberally.
For example - even if they have an existing licence, all street traders in the vicinity of a Games event will be banned. All advertisements in the vicinity of Games events will have to be specially authorised. Only those street traders and advertisers who are specially authorised by the Games organisers will be allowed in the vicinity of a Games Event. At present there is no indication of what distance from any Games venue will count as being in the "vicinity".
With Games venues spread across Glasgow from Scotstoun to the East End and beyond to Jackton and Strathclyde Park, the chances of your business being the "vicinity" of a Games event could be quite high.
It is expected that this very wide ranging piece of legislation will impact on the many businesses who are located in the vicinity of a Games venue and who may not have anything to do with the Games at all.
If you would like advice on how this proposed legislation will impact on your business or how you can capitalise on the opportunities that the 2014 Games will bring please contact Angus G. MacLeod |
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09/Nov/2007 | | Chambers Guide to Legal Services 2007 Recommends WJM One of the UK's leading law directories, the Chambers Guide, has just published their 2007 edition and Wright Johnston & Mackenzie and its solicitors have a number of editorial mentions.
David Bone, Chief Executive, commented, 'I am delighted that WJM has been further recommended in so many diverse areas of the law. Everything we do is aimed at helping our clients through market leading legal services in all of the areas that might impact on their business or family lives. Although we set a great deal more store by what our clients say to us than what legal publications say, it is still nice for the individuals and practice groups mentioned to achieve recognition that is richly deserved.'
WJM comes well recommended in a number of areas:
Corporate Finance - 'Peers observe this firm's profile seems to be increasing in line with its steady growth. Advising family businesses, family constitutions and family offices are noted team strengths. Ken Long is "straight to the point, hard-working and efficient"'.
For more information about the Corporate Team, click here
For more information on Ken Long here
Franchising WJM ranked band 1, Angus MacLeod ranked band 1. - "Widely recommended for its prominent work in franchise litigation, has the specialised knowledge needed to excel in this field". Angus MacLeod is "an authoritative, calm and practical lawyer with a powerful profile in the market". Peers and clients rate his "in-depth knowledge and well-briefed approach".
For more information about the Franchising Team, click here
For more information on Angus MacLeod here
Projects and Energy David Bone ranked in band 2 - 'The modestly sized but highly expert team is described by clients as "knowledgeable and pleasant to deal with". David Bone is considered a standout figure in the sector whose knowledge of wind farms is 2second to none"'.
For more information about the Energy Team, click here
For more information on David Bone here
Real Estate - "WJM's property team is an increasingly ambitious force in the marketplace" "it is renowned for its work for licensed properties" . . . "clients appreciate the down-to-earth and plain speaking approach of the firm, while peers complement its full-service capabilities".
For more information on the Property Team, click here
The Property Team is led by Colin Brass
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31/Oct/2007 | | iTech October 2007 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - October 2007 |
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12/Oct/2007 | | WJM recommended in leading legal publication One of the UK’s leading law directories, Legal 500, has just published their 2007 edition and Wright Johnston & Mackenzie and its solicitors have a number of editorial mentions.
David Bone, Chief Executive, commented, “I am delighted that WJM has been recommended in so many diverse areas of the law. Our aim is to provide our clients with market leading legal services in all of the areas that might impact on their business or family lives. Although we set a great deal more store by what our clients say to us than what legal publications say, it is still nice for the individuals and practice groups mentioned to achieve recognition that is richly deserved
WJM comes well recommended in a number of areas:
Regional Heavyweights
“Wright Johnston & Mackenzie LLP has a particular focus on media, renewable energy and private client matters.”
Recommended – Agriculture & Estates
“Wright Johnston & Mackenzie LLP’s Alistair Anderson and Laura Boswell advised on the purchases and sales of a number of forests and estates, involving aspects such as salmon fishing.”
Recommended – Employment
“ . . . and Martin Stephen in the Glasgow office of Wright Johnston & Mackenzie LLP, whose team advises employees of local authorities on issues including race discrimination claims.”
Recommended - Energy
“Wright Johnston & Mackenzie LLP’s excellent energy practice is led by senior partner David Bone. Commercial windfarms and hydro schemes are particular areas of expertise.”
Recommended – Technology & Media
“Wright Johnston & Mackenzie LLP is active in the research & development sector, and Angus MacLeod spend some time on secondment at client the Roslin Institute, developers of Dolly the Sheep.”
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15/Sep/2007 | | Employment Briefing - September 2007 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at September 2007 |
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31/Aug/2007 | | iTech August 2007 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - August 2007 |
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13/Aug/2007 | | New Partner joins WJM Today, Monday 13th August, Lesley Elrick joined WJM as a Partner in the Private Client Team.
Lesley has extensive expertise in working with individuals and families to help the achieve their life's aims and will be a strong addition to WJM's Private Client Team. She will be based in Edinburgh, where she will lead the resident Private Client team.
David Bone, WJM's Chief Executive, said, "Lesley's arrival will continue to strengthen our Private Client Team and will provide direction for our Edinburgh team. We welcome her to the firm".
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10/Aug/2007 | | Increase in Dual Qualified Lawyers at WJM Catriona Neally and Nick Mackay became the latest members of WJM's Commercial Property Team to become dual qualified in English Law. Both work extensively on cross-border transactions - Catriona in telecoms and Nick in renewable energy matters - and their qualification in English law helps to streamline transactions for clients.
Colin Brass, Head of Commercial Property, said, "These qualifications mean that we can increasingly offer a one-stop shop for clients with cross border property portfolios. A substantial number of the Commercial Property team are now dual qualified which can only mean increased client satisfaction."
Dual qualification in both English and Scottish law is becoming widespread across WJM. Whilst some areas of law are the same (Employment), other areas show considerable differences and, by having dual qualified lawyers, WJM is well placed to advise clients whose interests, either personal or business, are in both countries. |
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06/Jul/2007 | | iTech July 2007 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - July 2007 |
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06/Jul/2007 | | Employment Briefing - August 2007 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at August 2007 |
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15/Jun/2007 | | New WJM Chief Executive With effect from 1 April 2007, David Bone was unanimously elected by the Partners as WJM's Chief Executive. He suceeds Graham Bell, who returns to a full-time role within our Corporate and Family Business Teams.
David joined the Firm as a trainee in 1983, was appointed a Partner in 1988 and has worked in both the Glasgow and Edinburgh offices. He was Managing Partner of the Firm from 1997-2001 and since then has developed the Firm's Renewable Energy business, which he began back in 1993, into Scotland's leading Renewable Energy legal team, increasing its turnover in each of the last 8 years and growing the team so it now draws on contributions from a dozen of WJM's lawyers to service our clients' property, planning, commercial and dispute resolution needs. In addition, David has continued to act for some of the Firm's major commercial property clients.
David will lead the Firm's strategy and work together with our Chairman, Colin Brass, in ensuring that we listen to our clients and design our services around their needs.
At the same time, he will continue to assist clients with whom he has had a long relationship through involvement in commercial property and renewable energy transactions.
More on David Bone |
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14/Jun/2007 | | New Partner appointed at WJM An internal promotion sees Steven Docherty become a Partner with the Commercial Dispute Resolution Team with a special focus on high-level dispute resolution and debt recovery. Steven joined WJM as a trainee and has been instrumental in developing a number of new legal services for the firm, including a new debt recovery service which WJM will launch shortly.
Liam Entwistle, WJM’s Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution said, “Steven will be instrumental in crafting our services, especially debt recovery and dispute resolution services, to match as closely as possible the needs of our Clients, and this is something our team and this firm are committed to.”
Chief Executive, David Bone, commented that, “It is always pleasing to see someone make their way right through the ranks of the Firm from trainee to Partner because it speaks volumes not just for the quality of the individual but also our training programme, our staff retention rates and the importance of our values. Steven’s promotion is very well deserved.”
More on Steven Docherty |
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31/May/2007 | | iTech May 2007 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - May 2007 |
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24/May/2007 | | Employment Briefing - May 2007 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at May 2007 |
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25/Apr/2007 | | iTech April 2007 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - April 2007 |
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11/Apr/2007 | | Employment Briefing - April 2007 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at April 2007 |
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29/Mar/2007 | | iTech March 2007 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - March 2007 |
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21/Mar/2007 | | Briefing Note - The Companies Act 2006 From WJM’s Corporate Team
When its key sections come into force in October 2008, the new 2006 Act will effectively be a complete code of company legislation replacing the Companies Act 1985. On the whole, a much simpler, more lightly regulated regime for private companies is being introduced.
The Act also codifies (without radically altering) Directors duties, increases shareholder rights to sue Directors for breach of the duties and simplifies the standard constitution of a company (Memorandum and Articles of Association).
In the downloadable Briefing Note (below), WJM’s Corporate Team look at these key changes and how they will affect Director and shareholder relationships. Further information on how this may affect your company can be obtained by contacting any member of the Corporate Team through corporate@wjm.co.uk
Read the full paper at Briefing Note - The Companies Act 2006
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09/Mar/2007 | | Employment Alert - March 2007 New Minimum Wage Rates announced Full details at Employment Alert - National Minimum Wage |
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28/Feb/2007 | | Employment Briefing - March 2007 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at March 2007 |
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27/Feb/2007 | | iTech February 07 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - February 07 |
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14/Feb/2007 | | Employment Briefing - February 2007 Updated employment news from WJM Read the latest briefing at February 2007 |
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14/Feb/2007 | | Passing the Baton
A Significant Family Business Paper from WJM and Family Business Solutions Ltd WJM & Family Business Solutions Ltd, our family business consulting company, recently hosted generational focus dinners for family business members. Out of the wide ranging discussions at the dinners, came a wealth of information covering intergenerational issues and succession.
Entitled 'Passing the Baton' the paper examines comments from both the senior generation and the next generation in family businesses and makes recommendations to help smooth transitions.
Read the full paper at Passing the Baton
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24/Jan/2007 | | iTech January 07 Updated technology news from WJM
iTech is published regularly by WJM to help you keep abreast of changes in technology and technology law. Read the latest issue here. iTech - January 07 |
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19/Jan/2007 | | Important information about your emails and website Since 1st January 2007, companies in the UK must now include certain regulatory information in their email footers and on their websites or they will breach the Companies Act and risk a fine.
The same information as already required on 'business letters' is now required for websites, order forms and business emails. To go through to a dedicated webpage and a downloadable briefing note covering these important new changes, follow this link Important information about your emails and website |
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