Author Archives: Mark Lazarowicz

“For the commoune goode of the toune”

The Common Good property held by Scottish local authorities “The common good is a fund of money and assets, formerly owned by a burgh and now owned and administered by the local authority for the relevant area”  Andrew Ferguson, Common … Continue reading

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Applying for settled and pre-settled status requires genuine residence

Although the UK ceased to be a member of the EU on 31 January 2020, the transition period arrangements mean that EU citizens can still apply for leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme even if they move to … Continue reading

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The extension of the ‘Community Right to Buy’

The Community Right to Buy (‘CRTB’) was first introduced by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (the ‘2003 Act’)[1]. It allows a ‘community body’ to register an interest in ‘registerable land’, which gave it a pre-emptive right to buy if … Continue reading

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Now out! New book on the Scottish Parliament

  Along with Jean McFadden, I have written a new book on the Scottish Parliament: The Scottish Parliament: Law and Practice (Mark Lazarowicz and Jean McFadden). It is published by Edinburgh University Press, (£40 Paperback) 296pp. You can order copies here: https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-the-scottish-parliament.html … Continue reading

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Picardy Place decision has wider implications

This is my response to Edinburgh City Council’s consultation on the redevelopment of Picardy Place. It is a local issue, but with wider implications: Consultation on Picardy Place – with comments also on Leith Street proposals I am writing in response … Continue reading

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Devolution after Brexit: ‘Power Grab’ or a ‘Significant Increase in Decision-making Power’

One of the questions that arose very soon after the EU referendum was what would happen to the powers currently exercised by the EU over areas of government activity which would otherwise be devolved. The initial assumption in many quarters … Continue reading

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Time to make the most of trams

It looks like the long-awaited Edinburgh tram extension is finally about to happen. The case for the extension is stronger than ever. Edinburgh’s expected population growth over the next few decades means that the city must develop a modern public … Continue reading

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Let’s make Edinburgh’s transport more visitor-friendly

I was sitting on an Edinburgh bus the other day, and a scene developed which will be all too familiar to regular users of our city’s normally excellent public transport. A family, obviously tourists, got on the bus and tried … Continue reading

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Would EU citizens be able to vote in a second Scottish independence referendum?

As the prospect of a second referendum on Scottish independence has now come back on the agenda, I thought it would be useful to look at the question of whether EU citizens resident in Scotland would be able to vote … Continue reading

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Cuts have been bad for Scottish education, but Curriculum for Excellence is at the root of the problem

I’m glad to see that there is at last a serious discussion taking place about the lack in educational attainment in many Scottish schools. Part of the problem has come lack of finance, which from my own knowledge has led to shortages … Continue reading

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