[{"id":"9","sub_id":"6","order":"1","created":"2014-08-25 15:09:32","updated":"2021-01-26 16:36:47","type":"default","title":"Sectors","slug":"sectors","search_title":"Sector","search_content":"Sector Sector Her you ll find inform services Each entri show WJM The Place Practic Advice Each entri provid a descript servic show kei reason WJM firm practic cost effect advic specialist areas WJM a full servic law firm becaus make sens client make sens us 1611678971Services ManProLiability jpg","seo_title":"","seo_keywords":"","seo_description":"","template":"services","layout":"","logic":"","innav":"1","hide_in_cms":"0","redchild":"0","frontpage":"0","lock":"0","listing_container":"0","draft_for_page_id":"0","allow_delete":"0","allow_update":"1","published":"1","data1":"","data2":"","data3":"","trail":[],"subs":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.wjm.co.uk\/services-and-sectors\/sectors","pagedata":{"Banner":[{"Title":{"value":"Sectors","type":"text","id":"20903"},"Description":{"value":"

Here you’ll find information about all our services. Each entry shows you how WJM can help you through being 'The Place for Practical Advice'. Each entry provides a brief description of our service and shows you the the key reasons why WJM is the firm you should use for practical and cost-effective advice in each of these specialist areas.<\/p>","type":"textarea","id":"20904"},"Subtitle":{"value":"WJM is a full service law firm because it makes sense to our clients - which means it makes sense to us.","type":"text","id":"20905"},"Image":{"value":"1611679177Services_ManProLiability.jpg","type":"image","id":"20906"}}]}},{"id":"928","sub_id":"25","order":"176","created":"2017-04-11 09:50:51","updated":"2017-07-25 13:17:38","type":"default","title":"The Future of the Scottish Planning System","slug":"the-future-of-the-scottish-planning-system","search_title":"The Futur Scottish Plan System","search_content":"The Futur Scottish Plan System Plan Scotland develop energi Scottish Govern law legal 9 1491901208blueprint jpg 1 Scotland a plan system nurtur growth unlock potenti peopl place accord Scottish Government So expect draft plan bill expect introduc autumn The Scottish Govern consult deadlin respons 4th April 2017 describ a \u00a0 root branch review Scotland plan system identifi kei area change simplifi strengthen develop plan improv commun involv plan process activ enabl co ordin develop \u00a0remov process valu strengthen leadership resourc skills Twenti propos ar made area improv role plan system deliveri home school road work place infrastructur requir Scotland prosper Scottish Govern recognis a plan l system continu offer method effect land plan invit comment propos wai thi system improved Suggest tabl improv commun involv includ the\u00a0 \u00a0introduct commun led plan social media explor mechan engag young peopl develop plan process space thei live work plai in Few argu aren t worthwhil objectives Howev introduc addit develop layer odd propos consult reduc bureaucraci strengthen plan manag process The propos a develop plan place ten year befor replaced While thi propos mai eas administr burden plan prepar question primaci develop plan maintain flexibl cope inevit chang dure period Propos enabl ordin develop includ enhanc \u201csimplifi plan zones\u201d effect plan permiss principle larger develop proposals In order address difficulti infrastructur deliveri paper propos a local levi meet cost infrastructur provis work alongsid current method contribut legal bind agreements Attempt remedi deliveri issu made England The introduct Commun Infrastructur Levi \u201cCIL\u201d wa intend address challeng surround infrastructur provision Howev a paper ha publish read Hous Bill review success CIL Thi suggest adopt a similar approach Scotland necessarili answer \u00a0there ar lesson lean local levi propos forward Propos improv plan system undoubtedli cost implications I queri system capabl deliv requir chang rais cost plan applic propos preval local author auster measures \u00a0 On hand introduc fee make appeal propos mai implic fair oper administr justice Whatev includ draft bill agre plan system change Thi consult kei WJM ar readi step 11 04 2017 09 50 themeLightOrang 286 486 594","seo_title":"","seo_keywords":"Planning, Scotland, development, energy, Scottish Government, law, legal ","seo_description":"","template":"newsarticle","layout":"","logic":"","innav":"0","hide_in_cms":"0","redchild":"0","frontpage":"0","lock":"0","listing_container":"0","draft_for_page_id":"0","allow_delete":"1","allow_update":"1","published":"1","data1":"Margaret Hoisington","data2":"","data3":"","trail":[],"subs":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.wjm.co.uk\/news\/the-future-of-the-scottish-planning-system","pagedata":{"Category":[{"value":"9","type":"select","id":"11172"}],"Image":[{"value":"1491901208blueprint.jpg","type":"image","id":"11173"}],"Main Image Status":[{"value":"1","type":"select","id":"11174"}],"content":[{"value":"

Scotland needs a planning system which nurtures growth and unlocks the potential of our people and places according to the Scottish Government. So what can we, or should we, expect from the draft planning bill which is expected to be introduced in the autumn.<\/p>\r\n

The Scottish Government consultation, (deadline for responses is 4th April 2017), is described as a  ‘root and branch’ review of Scotland’s planning system and identifies four key areas for change: to simplify and strengthen development planning; improve community involvement in the planning process; actively enable and co-ordinate development;  remove processes that have no value and strengthen leadership, resources and skills.<\/p>\r\n

Twenty proposals are made within each of these areas to improve the role of the planning system in the delivery of the homes, schools, roads, work places and infrastructure required for Scotland to prosper. Scottish Government recognises that a plan-led system continues to offer the best method of effective land use planning, but invites comments on the proposals for the ways this system can be improved.<\/p>\r\n

Suggestions which have been tabled for improving community involvement include the   introduction of community led plans, the use of social media and exploring mechanisms to engage young people in the development plan process for the spaces they live, work and play in. Few would argue these aren’t worthwhile objectives.<\/p>\r\n

However, introducing an additional ‘development layer’ could also be seen to be at odds with other proposals within the consultation to reduce bureaucracy and to strengthen the planning management process. The same could be said about proposals that a development plan should be in place for ten years before it is replaced. While this and other proposals may ease the administrative burden of plan preparation, we question how the primacy of the development plan can be maintained so that it is flexible enough to cope with inevitable change during that period.<\/p>\r\n

Proposals to enable and co ordinate development include the enhanced use of “simplified planning zones” (effectively planning permission in principle) for larger development proposals. In order to address difficulties in infrastructure delivery, the paper proposes a new local levy to meet costs of infrastructure provision which would work alongside the current method of contributions under legally binding agreements.<\/p>\r\n

Attempts to remedy some of these delivery issues have been made in England. The introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (“CIL”) was intended to address challenges surrounding infrastructure provision. However, a paper has been published to be read with the Housing Bill which reviews the success of CIL. This suggests that adopting a similar approach in Scotland is not necessarily the answer and  there are lessons to be leaned in taking the local levy proposal forward.<\/p>\r\n

Proposals for the improvement of the planning system will undoubtedly have cost implications. I query whether the system would be capable of delivering the required changes without raising the costs of planning applications as is proposed, given the prevalence of local authority austerity measures.  On the other hand, introducing fees for making an appeal, which is also proposed, may have implications for the fair operation of administrative justice.<\/p>\r\n

Whatever is included in the draft bill, it is agreed that the planning system needs to change. This consultation is key, and we at WJM are ready for the next step.<\/p>","type":"textarea","id":"11175"}],"Sub Sections":[{"content title":{"value":"","type":"text","id":"11176"},"content":{"value":"","type":"textarea","id":"11177"}},{"content title":{"value":"","type":"text","id":"11178"},"content":{"value":"","type":"textarea","id":"11179"}},{"content title":{"value":"","type":"text","id":"11180"},"content":{"value":"","type":"textarea","id":"11181"}},{"content title":{"value":"","type":"text","id":"11182"},"content":{"value":"","type":"textarea","id":"11183"}}],"Date Created":[{"value":"11\/04\/2017 09:50","type":"text","id":"11184"}],"theme":[{"value":"themeLightOrange","type":"select","id":"11185"}],"Connected Service":[{"value":"286","type":"select","id":"11186"}],"Connected Sector":[{"value":"486","type":"select","id":"11187"}],"Author":[{"value":"594","type":"select","id":"11188"}]}},{"id":"25","sub_id":"0","order":"8","created":"2014-09-03 16:35:11","updated":"2021-02-09 19:41:32","type":"default","title":"News","slug":"news","search_title":"New","search_content":"New 1 New Update Our sector knowledg wide rang outstand individu firm recognis specialist field thei say Keep up to dat latest chang legal landscap individu busi alik 1612870430Sectors LeisHosp jpg 2","seo_title":"","seo_keywords":"","seo_description":"","template":"news","layout":"","logic":"","innav":"1","hide_in_cms":"0","redchild":"0","frontpage":"0","lock":"0","listing_container":"1","draft_for_page_id":"0","allow_delete":"0","allow_update":"1","published":"1","data1":"","data2":"","data3":"","trail":[],"subs":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.wjm.co.uk\/news","pagedata":{"Category":[{"value":"1","type":"select","id":"11694"}],"Banner":[{"Title":{"value":"News & Updates","type":"text","id":"20907"},"Description":{"value":"

Our sector knowledge is wide-ranging with outstanding individuals in the firm recognised as specialists in their field, see what they have to say.<\/p>","type":"textarea","id":"20908"},"Subtitle":{"value":"Keep up-to-date with the latest changes in the legal landscape for individuals and businesses alike","type":"text","id":"20909"},"Image":{"value":"1612870430Sectors_LeisHosp.jpg","type":"image","id":"20910"}}],"Main Image Status":[{"value":"2","type":"select","id":"11696"}],"content":[{"value":"","type":"textarea","id":"11697"}]}},{"id":"789","sub_id":"25","order":"123","created":"2016-02-16 11:48:45","updated":"2017-02-07 10:44:00","type":"default","title":"The Scottish Rate of Income Tax","slug":"the-scottish-rate-of-income-tax","search_title":"The Scottish Rat Income Tax","search_content":"The Scottish Rat Income Tax The Scottish Rat Of Income Tax WJM New The Scottish Rat Income Tax As part chang introduc Scotland Act 2012 Scottish Rat Income Tax SRIT due effect 6th April 2016 8 1 As part chang introduc Scotland Act 2012 Scottish Rat Income Tax SRIT due effect 6th April 2016 Thi rate onli appli Scottish tax pay ha set Scottish govern 10 How SRIT work The basic higher addit rate tax reduc 10 The rate 10 set Scottish govern replac thi 10 reduct \u2013 2016 17 basic higher addit rate taxpay tax 20 40 45 respectively The SRIT onli appli incom receiv individu employ self employ pension trust rental property The rate dividend capit gain bank interest affect rate ar control UK government The Scottish parliament doe current power chang incom tax band Scottish tax pay remain rest UK As a result 2016 17 Scottish taxpay wors UK taxpayers \u00a0 The SRIT collect HMRC HMRC issu Scottish tax pay a special S tax code ensur incom tax Scottish rate Who qualifi a Scottish tax payer The definit a Scottish tax pay focus a person live or resides thei work For major question thei ar a Scottish tax pay rel simpl thei a UK resid live sole Scotland make a Scottish tax payer thei live elsewher UK unaffect rate Howev determin thei ar a Scottish tax pay complex Individu resid UK establish thei spent time dure tax year their \u201cmain place residence\u201d Thi mostli determin count dai thei spent Scotland spent elsewher UK If thei spent dai Scotland thei qualifi a Scottish tax payer \u00a0 Other factor mai determin a person main place resid includ thei ar regist vote thei regist a doctor dentist thei major possess children attend school \u00a0 HMRC ar send letter individu class Scottish taxpay 2016 17 tax year Further changes The Scotland Bill 2015 current parliament aim devolv power Scottish parliament One power abil set incom tax rate bands If bill pass Westminst Holyrood receiv Royal Assent expect spring give Scottish parliament complet control incom tax band rate Scottish taxpayers Howev SRIT Scottish parliament abl chang tax rate save incom e g bank interest dividend income In addit control person capit gain retain Westminst tax continu collect HMRC 16 02 2016 11 48 themePink 277 115","seo_title":"The Scottish Rate Of Income Tax | WJM News","seo_keywords":"The Scottish Rate of Income Tax","seo_description":"As part of the changes that were introduced in the Scotland Act 2012, the Scottish Rate of Income Tax (SRIT) is due to come into effect on 6th April 2016.","template":"newsarticle","layout":"","logic":"","innav":"0","hide_in_cms":"0","redchild":"0","frontpage":"0","lock":"0","listing_container":"0","draft_for_page_id":"0","allow_delete":"1","allow_update":"1","published":"1","data1":"Steven Docherty","data2":"","data3":"","trail":[],"subs":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.wjm.co.uk\/news\/the-scottish-rate-of-income-tax","pagedata":{"Category":[{"value":"8","type":"select","id":"9148"}],"Image":[{"value":"","type":"image","id":"9149"}],"Main Image Status":[{"value":"1","type":"select","id":"9150"}],"content":[{"value":"

As part of the changes that were introduced in the Scotland Act 2012, the Scottish Rate of Income Tax (SRIT) is due to come into effect on 6th April 2016.<\/p>\r\n

This new rate will only apply to Scottish tax-payers and has been set by the Scottish government at 10%.<\/p>\r\n

How will SRIT work?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

The basic, higher and additional rates of tax will each be reduced by 10%. The new rate of 10% set by the Scottish government will replace this 10% reduction – so for 2016\/17 basic, higher and additional rate taxpayers will be taxed at 20, 40 and 45% respectively.<\/p>\r\n

The SRIT will only apply to income received by an individual from employment, self-employment, pensions, trusts and rental property. The rates for dividends, capital gains and bank interest will not be affected as these rates are still controlled by the UK government.<\/p>\r\n

The Scottish parliament does not currently have the power to change the income tax bands so for Scottish tax-payers these will remain the same as for the rest of the UK.<\/p>\r\n

As a result, for 2016\/17 Scottish taxpayers will be no better or worse off than UK taxpayers. <\/p>\r\n

The SRIT will be collected by HMRC. HMRC will issue each Scottish tax-payer with a special ‘S’ tax code to ensure that their income is taxed at the Scottish rate.<\/p>\r\n

Who qualifies as a Scottish tax-payer?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

The definition of a Scottish tax-payer is focused on where a person lives (or resides) rather than where they work. For the majority, the question of whether they are a Scottish tax-payer will be relatively simple as they will either be a UK resident who lives solely in Scotland, (making them a Scottish tax-payer) or they will live elsewhere in the UK and be unaffected by the new rate. However, for some, determining whether they are a Scottish tax-payer is more complex.<\/p>\r\n

Individuals who have more than one residence in the UK will need to establish where they spent more time during the tax year (their “main place of residence”). This will mostly be determined by counting the days they spent in Scotland and spent elsewhere in the UK. If they spent more days in Scotland then they qualify as a Scottish tax-payer.  <\/p>\r\n

Other factors that may help determine a person’s main place of residence include where they are registered to vote; where they have registered with a doctor\/dentist; where they keep the majority of their possessions and where their children attend school.  <\/p>\r\n

HMRC are sending letters to individuals who will be classed as Scottish taxpayers for the 2016\/17 tax year.<\/p>\r\n

Further changes?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

The Scotland Bill 2015 is currently going through parliament with the aim of devolving more powers to the Scottish parliament. One of these powers is the ability to set income tax rates and bands. If the bill passes through Westminster, Holyrood, and receives Royal Assent (expected next spring), it will give the Scottish parliament complete control over the income tax bands and rates for Scottish taxpayers.<\/p>\r\n

However, as with the SRIT, the Scottish parliament will not be able to change the tax rates on savings income (e.g. bank interest) or dividend income. In addition, control over personal allowances and capital gains will be retained by Westminster and taxes will continue to be collected by the HMRC.<\/p>","type":"textarea","id":"9151"}],"Sub Sections":[{"content title":{"value":"","type":"text","id":"9152"},"content":{"value":"","type":"textarea","id":"9153"}},{"content title":{"value":"","type":"text","id":"9154"},"content":{"value":"","type":"textarea","id":"9155"}},{"content title":{"value":"","type":"text","id":"9156"},"content":{"value":"","type":"textarea","id":"9157"}},{"content title":{"value":"","type":"text","id":"9158"},"content":{"value":"","type":"textarea","id":"9159"}}],"Date Created":[{"value":"16\/02\/2016 11:48","type":"text","id":"9160"}],"theme":[{"value":"themePink","type":"select","id":"9161"}],"Connected Service":[{"value":"277","type":"select","id":"9162"}],"Connected Sector":[{"value":"0","type":"select","id":"9163"}],"Author":[{"value":"115","type":"select","id":"9164"}]}},{"id":"876","sub_id":"25","order":"158","created":"2016-11-11 10:36:20","updated":"2017-02-07 12:20:57","type":"default","title":"Premature Babies and Maternity Leave \u2013 The Legal Position","slug":"premature-babies-and-maternity-leave--the-legal-position","search_title":"Prematur Babi Matern Leav ndash The Legal Posit","search_content":"Prematur Babi Matern Leav \u2013 The Legal Posit Prematur Babi And Matern Leav \u2013 The Legal Posit Prematur birth legal law matern leav Scotland law firm Mother prematur babi ar campaign statutori matern leav extend mother give birth early Read WJM News 6 1478862103Family jpg 1 Mother prematur babi ar campaign statutori matern leav extend mother give birth early \u00a0The \u201cSmallest Things\u201d Campaign seek weeks extra leav everi week parent prematur children spend wait children home hospital On 26th October 2016 Labour MP Steve Reed made a Motion Parliament a Full Debat potenti chang law matern leav account prematur births \u00a0 He propos introduct Matern Patern Leav Prematur Birth Bill amend Part 8 Employment Right Act 1996 make provis matern patern leav parent babi born prematurely Birth Trigger Matern Leav If a babi born earli matern leav ha alreadi commenc mother leav start dai babi wa born \u00a0 An employee matern leav trigger absent work a pregnanc relat reason week period befor expect week confin EWC Mother ar entitl 52 week leav made 26 week ordinari matern leav 26 week addit matern leave \u00a0 There current mechan matern leav law leav longer babi ar born prematurely Mother 26 week servic ar entitl 39 week statutori matern pay Even a birth prematur mother notifi employ reason practicable That ha birth earli The date babi wa born \u00a0 Employer re calcul matern leav end date It employ mother alreadi discuss matern leav begin end base employee EWC \u00a0 Howev earli birth trigger start matern leave 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leav 25 weeks \u00a0 What posit babi arriv prematurely \u00a0 Is leav extend automat circumst mother matern leav befor babi wa born While amend law rel straightforward unlik employ face a requir futur provid extra leav prematur births \u00a0 Privat Members Bill rare enact a spokesman Depart Busi Energi Industri Strategi ha \u201cThe UK matern system gener world \u00a0 The current system strike balanc mum includ babi ha born prematur employers\u201d Conclus Employer bear mind a prematur birth stress event a parent face ar step employ support employe thi situation Where a mother give birth earli line manag encourag strike balanc between Keep touch employe provid support for exampl Employe Assistanc Programme discuss impact matern leav Reorganis parent mai left devic dure thi difficult period \u00a0 A kei wai employ support employe a prematur birth flexibl work onc matern leav ends Should ani queri matern leav \u00a0or anyth employ law pleas hesit contact a member WJM employ team 0141 248 3434 11 11 2016 10 36 themeBlu 329 101","seo_title":"Premature Babies And Maternity Leave \u2013 The Legal Position","seo_keywords":"Premature, birth, legal, law, maternity, leave, rights, Scotland, law, firm ","seo_description":"Mothers of premature babies are campaigning for statutory maternity leave to be extended where mothers give birth early. Read more on WJM News.","template":"newsarticle","layout":"","logic":"","innav":"0","hide_in_cms":"0","redchild":"0","frontpage":"0","lock":"0","listing_container":"0","draft_for_page_id":"0","allow_delete":"1","allow_update":"1","published":"1","data1":"Margaret Hoisington","data2":"","data3":"","trail":[],"subs":[],"url":"https:\/\/www.wjm.co.uk\/news\/premature-babies-and-maternity-leave--the-legal-position","pagedata":{"Category":[{"value":"6","type":"select","id":"10341"}],"Image":[{"value":"1478862103Family.jpg","type":"image","id":"10342"}],"Main Image Status":[{"value":"1","type":"select","id":"10343"}],"content":[{"value":"

Mothers of premature babies are campaigning for statutory maternity leave to be extended where mothers give birth early.<\/h5>\r\n

 The “Smallest Things” Campaign is seeking one weeks’ extra leave for every week parents of premature children have to spend waiting for their children to be allowed home from hospital.<\/p>\r\n

On 26th October 2016 Labour MP Steve Reed, made a Motion in Parliament for a Full Debate on potential changes to the law on maternity leave to take account of premature births.  He proposed the introduction of the Maternity and Paternity Leave (Premature Birth) Bill to amend Part 8 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 to make provision about maternity and paternity leave for parents of babies born prematurely.<\/p>\r\n

Birth Triggers Maternity Leave<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

If a baby is born early and maternity leave has not already commenced, the mother’s leave starts on the day after her baby was born. <\/p>\r\n

An employee’s maternity leave will also be triggered if she is absent from work for a pregnancy related reason in the four week period before the expected week of confinement (EWC).<\/p>\r\n

Mothers are entitled to 52 weeks leave made up of 26 weeks ordinary maternity leave and 26 weeks additional maternity leave.  There is currently no mechanism in maternity leave laws for leave to last longer where babies are born prematurely.<\/p>\r\n

Mothers with 26 weeks service are entitled up to 39 weeks statutory maternity pay.<\/p>\r\n

Even where a birth is premature the mother must notify the employer as soon as reasonably practicable:<\/p>\r\n