Borders Railway expansion signals an increasing interest in employment law matters

A pair of expert breakfast seminars on the changing face of employment law will equip Borders businesses for the forthcoming economic boost created by the revival of train services.

With the Borders economy set for a significant boost from the re-opening of the railway next summer, local lawyers Iain Burke and Rory Bannerman, of Bannerman Burke, have arranged two free seminars to ensure Borders businesses are up-to-speed with the latest employment issues.

“The world of work has been changing. I think this is a fantastic time to speak about these changes which will impact on both employee and employers,” said Mr Burke, a partner of Bannerman Burke, based in Galashiels and Hawick.

“We’ve seen a lot of temporary workers during the rebuilding of the Borders Railway and that’s been great for local spending. Now the establishment of railway services is certain to be the stimulus for all kinds of local business, some existing and wishing to expand, while others more entrepreneurial start-ups. We can help to set the employment law ground work for this expansion,” he said.

“We will focus on the opportunities for the Borders and where local businesses might be able to benefit. A general understanding of recent changes in employment law will certainly help those planning to expand,” he said.

Mr Burke is a member of the United Employment Lawyers network, now the largest in Scotland, which has nearly 30 High Street firms across the country. UEL offers high quality employment law advice and expertise in Scotland’s local communities, such as Galashiels and Hawick, rather than clients having to go to the larger cities.

Mr Burke has invited legal experts, including Malcolm Mackay, the founder and chairman of UEL and a distinguished employment law practitioner, to speak, while there will be discussions about pension changes coming into force this year, which will be of interest to those working in the sphere of human resources.

“Bannerman Burke are original members of UEL. We are determined to tap into our combined expertise and provide appropriate expert legal advice in local communities such as the Borders. This, in turn, keeps the cost of such advice at a decent rate, rather than going to Edinburgh or Glasgow for a bigger firm with bigger fees,” said Mr Burke.

The first breakfast seminar is on 2nd May in the Townhouse Hotel in Melrose, while the second is on 8thMay at Hawick Rugby Club. Both seminars start at 9am and coffee and bacon rolls will be provided. Local businesses and human resources professional are being urged to come along. Anyone interested in attending either seminar should contact Bannerman Burke on 01896 750350.