Lawford Kidd's Blog

A man has admitted causing the death of a motorcyclist as a result of careless driving on the A9 last year.

The 47-year-old admitted to driving recklessly and causing a crash that killed a biker and seriously injured his wife.

The incident, which occurred in the Highlands on 6 March 2014 saw William Couston pull out of a junction and into the path of the oncoming motorcycle, leading to the death of 55-year-old Nigel Mills. It was understood that Mr Mills and his wife had been on their way to the Scottish Motorcycle Show near Edinburgh.

Understandably, the focus of much of the debate around this year's General Election is the economy. A large part of this debate is relevant to those requiring legal advice. Cuts to legal aid, the budgets of Courts and the streamlining of legal processes to save money are regularly discussed by all political parties. With the general election but hours away, what impact might the outcome have for those seeking compensation for their injuries?

For information, personal injury law in Scotland is different from the rest of the United Kingdom, even if it is broadly similar (our view is that Scots law is fairer, simpler and more just for claimants, however!). Any changes made to the law south of the border may not necessarily have any impact in Scotland.

During the previous Parliament, the Conservative Party undertook a substantial modernisation of the courts service in England & Wales, including the closures of some courts. They have pledged in their manifesto to continue the modernisation process. While a more modern process is to be welcomed, closing of courts restricts access to justice for many people. In Northern Ireland, the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) have committed to fighting the closure of courts.

The Penrose Inquiry, which was announced by the Scottish Government in 2008, has now published its final report.

Lord Penrose chaired the inquiry, which looked in detail at how patients were infected with hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS through blood transfusions and other procedures carried out at NHS hospitals from 1974 onwards.

Following the publication of the report, Health Secretary Shona Robison has apologised on behalf of the NHS and Government in Scotland to all patients and families affected by infected NHS blood and blood products in Scotland during the 1970s and 1980s.

Discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAIs) for circumstances in which a Scottish person dies abroad and their body is repatriated to Scotland are to be allowed for the first time across the nation, following the introduction of The Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc. (Scotland) Bill.

While the decision whether or not to hold an FAI still remains with the Lord Advocate, who must believe there to be real prospect of establishing the circumstances of the death abroad and that said circumstances have not been already established by way of investigation, the Bill is aimed at modernising and strengthening the FAI process in Scotland.

Christmas is around the corner, however for many the time for festive cheer turns into a time of disaster with Christmas proving to be more lethal than expected for some.

Whilst standing on baubles or tumbling Christmas trees may be something only associated with Home Alone at Christmas, according to figures from the NHS more than 80,000 people end up with an unwanted visit to A&E, with accidents ranging from exploding fairy lights to serious illness from their turkey dinner.

Safety Tips for Christmas

Last year almost 1,500 people ended up injured due to their tree, either when initially decorating it or throughout the festive period. Estimates show that 1,000 people are injured each year when putting up their Christmas tree, with over stretching to decorate high branches, poorly placed ladders leading to a fall, or trees falling on people proving to be some of the most common reasons for obtaining injuries. Other injuries come from electrical shocks and non-artificial trees or throughout the rest of the holiday season.