Category Archives: Uncategorized

Five take-aways from the stunning victory of the democratic opposition It may take a couple of months before a new Polish government, almost certainly led by Donald Tusk, will finally be able to take power in Warsaw. But it’s already … Continue reading →

This week, as Edinburgh’s trams made it down to Leith (or rather returned), saw the end of a troubled story. But in spite of that history, I found that the mood on the tram on the first day, and on … Continue reading →

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 →

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 →

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 →

  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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →