Alison Marr
Senior AssociateAlison provides expert legal advice to a wide range of clients including companies, individuals start-ups, public bodies, charities and financial institutions.
She advises on intellectual property matters and data protection compliance. She also has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating a wide variety of commercial contracts and providing advice on governance and compliance for public sector and charitable bodies
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Freedom of Information Reform Bill: Shaping the future of transparency in Scotland
The Scottish Parliament has introduced the Freedom of Information Reform (Scotland) Bill, aiming to modernise and strengthen the existing framework. The Bill proposes new enforcement powers, greater transparency obligations and wider coverage of FOI duties. Public consultation is open until 22 October 2025.
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A brief guide on community asset transfers
Community Asset Transfer (“CAT”) is a statutory right under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. It enables community organisations to request the ownership, lease, or management of publicly owned land or buildings, with the intention of delivering long-term benefits for the local community. This mechanism is especially relevant for charities seeking to expand, provide new services, or secure premises. Importantly, the request must be granted by the relevant authority unless there are reasonable grounds for refusal.
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The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020: Key changes and their impact
The Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 introduces a modernised, phased overhaul of Scotland’s disclosure system, balancing safeguarding with fairness. Key changes include a simplified two-tier disclosure structure, mandatory PVG scheme membership for regulated roles from April 2025, and five-year PVG renewals from April 2026.