Background
In November 2023, Monica Lennon MSP launched the public consultation on her proposed Member’s Bill to introduce ecocide law in Scotland. Although Scotland does have legislation intended to protect the natural environment and wildlife, it is argued in the consultation paper that there are gaps and that existing legislation isn’t being enforced as fully as it could be.
Recent research from Deloitte suggests, that the STEM sectors are projected to see a considerable uptick in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in 2024. This is due to recent improvement in financial markets, spurred by decelerating inflation and expected reductions in interest rates.
In FES Limited v HFD Construction Group Limited [2024] CSOH 20, the Outer House considered a “short question of contractual construction” which will be of interest to those in construction industry (and potentially beyond). The question was whether a contractual notice was a condition precedent to the contractor’s entitlement to loss and expense under the SBCC Standard Building Contract with Quantities for use in Scotland (2016). That is important as failure to comply with a ‘condition precedent’ precludes the relevant relief whereas failure to comply with a lesser contractual mechanism – although a breach of contract – does not necessarily have the same consequences.
Last month, the European Parliament adopted the Artificial Intelligence Act, making it the first comprehensive law regulating the use of AI, but with the UK seeking to take a significantly different approach to regulation, who has got it right?