Company Update – January 2021

Pollock & McLean’s offices in Dumfries, Thornhill and Sanquhar continue to be open for business, albeit our office doors will remain closed to the public. All contact with clients will be by telephone, video call via zoom and email for the time being. Our Solicitors can be contacted on the respective office telephone numbers or on their individual office email addresses.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No.10) regulations 2021 came into force in Scotland on 5th January 2021 allowing persons to only leave home for a reasonable excuse. Carrying out duties as a Key Worker is considered a reasonable excuse. Essential legal services fall under Category 3 Key Worker status and therefore in these difficult times we remain committed to servicing our client’s legal needs.

The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service issued a statement on 4th January 2021, shortly after the First Ministers government announcement that Scotland would be entering a second lockdown situation. It stated the Scottish courts and tribunals will continue to operate business as currently scheduled, as this is an essential service. Our Sheriff Principal has also confirmed that there is no plan, at the moment, for the courts to return to the hub model that was in place last year, which effectively was a reduced service.

The regulations also stipulate that moving home or undertaking activities in connection with the maintenance, purchase, sale, letting or rental of residential property that a person owns or is responsible for is considered a reasonable excuse under the regulations.

We continue as a firm to monitor the situation on a daily basis insofar as it relates to the health and wellbeing of our staff and clients.