Opinion

Agreements between businesses and individuals occur on a daily basis, but what does it take to make them legally binding? Peter Begbie explains. A written contract is a common – and often most advisable – way of legally formalising an agreement. However, it is also possible to establish

Edinburgh heritage body the Cockburn Association has launched a series of thought-pieces under the heading Our Unique City: Our Past, Our City, Our Future to generate a civic conversation that looks to address the many challenges facing the capital now and in the immediate future. Paper Three &ndash

Infrastructure secretary Michael Matheson discusses the ongoing work of the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland. Infrastructure investment plays a critical role in creating an inclusive, sustainable economy. In December, I established the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland (ICS) to provide in

Edinburgh heritage body the Cockburn Association has launched a series of thought-pieces under the heading Our Unique City: Our Past, Our City, Our Future to generate a civic conversation that looks to address the many challenges facing the capital now and in the immediate future. Paper Two –

Tammy Swift-Adams, director of planning at Homes for Scotland, outlines why Scotland’s housing crisis should be a ‘call to arms’ to everyone who has a role to play in building more homes. Scotland’s planning authorities play an integral role in the delivery of new homes and t

Edinburgh heritage body the Cockburn Association has launched a series of thought-pieces under the heading Our Unique City: Our Past, Our City, Our Future to generate a civic conversation that looks to address the many challenges facing the capital now and in the immediate future. Paper One –

Shona Glenn, head of policy & research at the Scottish Land Commission, offers some thoughts on how we can better fund and coordinate infrastructure provision to support housing development.

As the Planning (Scotland) Bill reaches the final phase of the Parliamentary process, local government, housing and planning minister, Kevin Stewart MSP, outlines the reasons behind his Stage 3 amendments. Scotland needs a planning system that will help to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic

Jim MacDonald, chief executive of Architecture and Design Scotland, explains why a design-based approach is an effective way of getting to people to work collaboratively, which will make a difference both to the quality of our places and the future of our planet.  Architecture & Design

Craig McLaren summarises the recent UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) roundtable which looked at the changes to the Planning (Scotland) Bill and explored how new approaches to planning can help us to build more, well-designed homes.

Corporate social responsibility is easy to dismiss as one of those bureaucratic boxes that need ticked, but if you spend some time talking to your employees, you will find that the majority have a passionate concern for something outside of work, writes Alastair Wallace, senior partner at Scottish c

As medical centres become increasingly complex, DM Hall's Katie Craig argues that the need for objective advice for property valuations is crucial. The traditional image of the GP surgery has changed out of all recognition in recent decades, with the old model of single practitioners in humble premi

Kirsti Olson, a construction partner in Dentons' Edinburgh office, has been following the Scottish Government's progress in confronting the issue of payments in the construction industry since its announcement in December that it intended to consult on the subject.

With less than two months to respond to Graham Simpson MSP’s Proposed New-Build Homes (Buyer Protection) (Scotland) members Bill, Harry C. Smith, partner and head of housebuilder & construction at Gillespie Macandrew LLP, shares his views. There have been a number of attempts down the year

Kier's MD Brian McQuade on how initiatives like Open Doors can give young people an insight into the world of construction. Addressing the skills shortage remains a key priority right across the construction industry. While the sector has become one that is incredibly diverse and significantly more