The Court of Session (the Supreme Civil Court in Scotland) has declared that better guidance as to the appropriate level of damages should in future be given to juries in civil damages cases. A five judge bench under the retiring Lord President, Lord Hamilton, made the ruling in allowing two appeals by defenders who claimed that jury awards of compensation for the death of a relative were excessive.US lawyers should note that the level of damages awarded in these cases will seem small (£120000 and £90000 – $186000 and $140000 respectively) but in Scotland, there are state welfare provisions etc. that are absent in the USA.See: http://www.journalonline.co.uk/News/1011326.aspx
