Absolvitor: Scots Law Online

01/02/2017

With the Article 50 Bill in Parliament, time to look at where the whole EU project began ...

The Treaty of Rome, where this whole malarky got started...

"DETERMINED to establish the foundations of an ever closer union among the European peoples,

DECIDED to ensure the economic and social progress of their countries by common action in eliminating the barriers which divide Europe,

DIRECTING their efforts to the essential purpose of constantly improving the living and working conditions of their peoples,

RECOGNISING that the removal of existing obstacles calls for concerted action in order to guarantee a steady expansion, a balanced trade and fair competition,

ANXIOUS to strengthen the unity of their economies and to ensure their harmonious development by reducing the differences existing between the various regions and by mitigating the backwardness of the less favoured,

DESIROUS of contributing by means of a common commercial policy to the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade,

INTENDING to confirm the solidarity which binds Europe and overseas countries, and desiring to ensure the development of their prosperity, in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

RESOLVED to strengthen the safeguards of peace and liberty by establishing this combination of resources, and calling upon the other peoples of Europe who share their ideal to join in their efforts,

HAVE DECIDED to create a European Economic Community"

01/11/2016

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 requires the Scottish Government to eradicate fuel poverty by November 2016 ‘so far as reasonably practicable’.

Today, there are approx 845,000 households in Scotland experiencing fuel poverty.

This demonstrates the tokenism and futility of Governments imposing this kind of duty on themselves. Still, I don't suppose this will do anything to stem the tide...

19/08/2016

The Declaration of Arbroath has been awarded special status by the United Nations, it has has been included by UNESCO in its UK “Memory of the World” register.

Did you know that the tear off slips at the bottom each had Bernard of Kilwinning's mobile number and e-mail address on them?

25/06/2016

The petition about a second EUref if the result is < 60% on a turnout of < 75% would in all likelihood trigger a never-ending series of referendums, wouldn't it?

23/06/2016

This is the Maastricht Treaty from 1992, the founding document of the European Union (as opposed to the European Communities, which predated it, and form one pillar of the EU).

That's the signatures of Francis Maude and Douglas Hurd you can see at the bottom of the right hand page.

17/06/2016

The Treaty of Rome, where this whole malarky got started...

"DETERMINED to establish the foundations of an ever closer union among the European peoples,

DECIDED to ensure the economic and social progress of their countries by common action in eliminating the barriers which divide Europe,

DIRECTING their efforts to the essential purpose of constantly improving the living and working conditions of their peoples,

RECOGNISING that the removal of existing obstacles calls for concerted action in order to guarantee a steady expansion, a balanced trade and fair competition,

ANXIOUS to strengthen the unity of their economies and to ensure their harmonious development by reducing the differences existing between the various regions and by mitigating the backwardness of the less favoured,

DESIROUS of contributing by means of a common commercial policy to the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade,

INTENDING to confirm the solidarity which binds Europe and overseas countries, and desiring to ensure the development of their prosperity, in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

RESOLVED to strengthen the safeguards of peace and liberty by establishing this combination of resources, and calling upon the other peoples of Europe who share their ideal to join in their efforts,

HAVE DECIDED to create a European Economic Community"

27/04/2016

Just time before the election for a quick review of the parties' views on various topics related to civil justice - based on my own skim reading of the manifestos. First, some areas of agreement. Both Labour and SNP are in favour of abolishing fees for access to the Employment Tribunals. Labour, SNP and the Conservatives all express a desire to review or reform Legal Aid, with the Greens pressing for the Scottish Parliament to "enhance" it. [ 213 more words. ]

http://absolvitor.com/2016/04/28/holyrood-2016-manifestos-on-civil-justice/

Just time before the election for a quick review of the parties’ views on various topics related to civil justice – based on my own skim reading of the manifestos. First, some areas of …

08/10/2015

Following the "viral" video of a Rugby World Cup fan having his Scottish banknotes refused in an official store (reported here: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/we-dont-accept-scottish-notes-6596853) - it seemed like an apposite moment to remind you of the ever popular "legal tender" post on Absolvitor!

Scottish banknotes are not legal tender. Not even in Scotland.

09/09/2015

According to the Scotsman ("Burger van owners claim ban infringes human rights"), a legal challenge has been launched against North Lanarkshire Council's policy which prohibits fast food vans from trading within a 250-metre radius of any of its schools. The policy is said to be part of the Council's efforts to combat childhood obesity. The headline refers to the fact that five van owners are apparently claiming that their human rights, as well as those of the pupils, have been infringed by the exclusion zone. [ 504 more words. ]

http://absolvitor.com/2015/09/09/burger-vans-and-trading-bans

According to the Scotsman ("Burger van owners claim ban infringes human rights"), a legal challenge has been launched against North Lanarkshire Council's policy which prohibits fast food vans from ...

28/08/2015

A piece I wrote on the (under) use of independent adjudication in education cases.

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22/08/2015

From the archives: a call, back in 2010, for the reintroduction of corporal punishment in Scottish schools.

An old chestnut, perhaps, but one which does have a habit of returning with unerring regularity.  The Herald reports that UKIP Scotland are calling for a return of corporal punishment to our school...

15/07/2015

My collection of tax law links for SCLR now includes the Revenue Scotland and Commission on Local Tax Reform websites. Have I missed anything?

http://www.scottishlawreports.org.uk/resources/links/taxation.html

Collection of annotated links to law sites, for lawyers practising in Scotland and those seeking information about Scottish law.