PRG clients Lyn McNicol and Laura Jackson are the authors of the first in an intended series of illustrated children’s books starring Badger the Mystical Mutt. Written for children aged 5 – 8, and addressing issues such as bullying, disability and prejudice in a positive way, Badger is fast becoming a well beloved character in Scotland and beyond. The story is that Pet Idol is in town, and Hamish, a floppy-eared spaniel, is the favourite to win. But as the spotlight falls on the lane, Top Dog and his gang of strays are hunted by the Dog Catcher, and blame Hamish for their troubles. With his haphazard magic, an appetite for toast and a strange travelling machine, can Badger the Mystical Mutt save Hamish from Top Dog and his gang? And can Hamish still win Pet Idol? Badger is currently undertaking a book tour and is appearing in bookshops up and down the country to rave reviews not just from his fast growing army of young fans but also from the media. See his website here: http://badgerthemysticalmutt.com/ and follow him on Facebook and Twitter. Originally from Ayrshire, Lyn McNicol is a publicist and spent five years with the BBC working [...] read more

PRG clients Alastair McGhee and David MacDonald feature on the Jim Diamond  and friends album “City of Soul”, due for general release on iTunes, Amazon, HMV etc on Monday 3 October 2011. Alastair and David are two of the brass section of Big Vern ‘n’ the Shootahs, one of the most popular live bands in Scotland and beyond. All proceeds of this current album will benefit the Radio Clyde Cash for Kids Charity. The album featured on Clyde 2 this evening with a live session from City of Soul. Fantastic. Buy it. PRG will be…… Please buy the album for yourself and your friends and contribute to Cash for Kids. Check out the City of Soul guys here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-g1MLC4S14&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL3268C1B865E4AC01   read more

Advanced Group (Scotland) Limited is one of PRG’s most innovative clients. The hard work and long hours involved in the sale and manufacture of home improvement products from a remote farmhouse unit some 23 years ago provided the nucleus for a company which is now, says respected business entrepreneur, Mark Watson, simply the best in home improvement design and innovation. And he is right. Where double glazing remains the norm for lesser entities, Advanced Group now provides triple glazing as standard. In addition, the company’s conservatory manufacture and supply is second to none in the UK. Renewable energy products such as solar panels have further enhanced the reputation of this already energy aware company both in the retail and trade sectors. Whether in the supply of windows, doors, conservatories or solar panels or indeed specialist Roofline products, the Advanced Group will provide for every eventuality. The PRG Partnership has acted for “Advanced” from the early days and has delighted in its success from then to now. See the Advanced Group website at www.theadvancedgroup.co.uk read more

Employers ignoring minimum wage law, says Citizens Advice A call for action against employers ignoring the minimum wage laws has been made by Citizens Advice Scotland, in the wake of evidence that many workers are being exploited by being illegally underpaid. A survey of CAB advisers carried out during the summer found that over half (53.3%) said that breaches of the minimum wage law were a “very” or “fairly” significant problem in their area; and nine out of 10 said the problem was “the same or worse” than it was two years ago. Women are more than twice as likely to be affected than men, and over half of respondents said the problem affected migrant workers. In terms of age, young people are by far the most likely victims: 73.3% of CAB staff reported that the problem was worst for those under the age of 24, and over a third said they had seen it afflict those aged just 16 or 17. Hotels, restaurants and cafes are among the most common offenders, with hairdressers and the construction industry also mentioned by many advisers. CAS Head of Policy Susan McPhee said the problem was a serious one. “The minimum wage has [...] read more

PRG has jointed the Contact Law network, one of the UK’s leading solicitor referral services. Owned by Thomson Reuters, Contact Law makes it easy for businesses and private individuals to select the best solicitor for their needs. Operating throughout the UK and abroad, Contact Law is in the business of recruiting legal firms which can effectively serve clients on a wide variety of legal matters. We are delighted that PRG has been selected by Contact Law for that purpose. read more

Although our website is now live, we are still working on many aspects of it. We hope to keep in touch with our existing clients and  develop relations with new clients at www.prg.co.uk and at our Facebook and Twitter pages. Please let us know what you think. Your feedback is what will help us to create a useful website and communications network between PRG and our clients. read more

Prime Minister David Cameron will go to war against the trade unions by unveiling new laws to make it easier for firms to sack workers and condemning next week’s public sector strikes over pensions. A huge shake-up of employment laws and tribunals, which will make it harder for employees to claim unfair dismissal and save employers millions of pounds, has been bitterly attacked by union leaders. According to the Government, the “most radical reform package for decades” – to be unveiled by the Liberal Democrat Business Secretary Vince Cable – will make it easier for firms to recruit, manage and let staff go. Coinciding with the employment law shake-up, the Prime Minister has launched an attack on public sector union leaders over the November 30 strike and urged them to think again in a newspaper article. “I have huge respect for the hard-working men and women who keep our vital services running,” Mr Cameron writes.  “The teachers who educate the next generation, the childminders who keep our children safe and workers who keep our streets clean. “We depend on them every day.  And they do a brilliant job. “That’s why I’m so angry to hear that union bosses are ordering millions [...] read more

“Bizarre consequences” could result from new laws about to come into force on the promotion of alcohol, according to the Law Society of Scotland. This Saturday, 1 October, sees the operation of new rules, under the Alcohol etc (Scotland) Act 2010, which will ban “irresponsible promotions” in supermarkets, and on the advertising of alcohol promotions. Among other things, they will prohibit discounts on multiple purchases, require promotional and advertising material of alcoholic products to be contained within a designated display area in stores, and ban advertising within 200 metres of the store premises. The rules are part of the Scottish Government’s drive to cut excessive drinking, but Stephen McGowan, of the Law Society of Scotland’s Licensing Law Committee, warned today that there may be unintended consequences. He commented: “A ban on alcoholic drinks promotions will apply equally across all licensed premises. The change will mean an end to various supermarket deals, such as buy three bottles of wine for £10, as of this Saturday. But the multipack rule only applies if you are also selling the same product as single items, so premises may simply decide to stop offering singles and stock multipacks only – meaning customers may in fact [...] read more

Welcome To Our Blog Check back for news items about PRG and for articles which we think will be of interest to you. Please contact any of our partners personally or at scotslaw@prg.co.uk at any time for advice and assistance concerning your personal or business legal requirements. read more