Commercial Property - the Virtual Summer Series 2025

Being an effective commercial real estate lawyer requires not just understanding of the law, but also its application to practical contexts. Our new online conference will consider some of the most important practical considerations, with topics ranging from irritancy, managing leased property and dilapidations to flood risk and better complaint handling.

Chaired by Professor Kenneth C Ross of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, the conference will include contributions from Alan McMillan of Burness Paull, Ken Gerber from Mitchells Roberton, Neil Collar of Brodies, Amir Ismail from Holmes Mackillop, Michael Stewart from Kaya Consulting and Susan Williams of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission.

What's being covered?

Irritancy

In this session we will consider what goes wrong with irritancy for landlords and why and we’ll also look at the latest developments in caselaw around what is needed for service.

Alan McMillan, Burness Paull

Flood risk

Flood risk is a growing concern for property occupiers and developers. This joint presentation will introduce the technical issues, and the law, planning policy and procedures, with reference to case studies.

Neil Collar of Brodies and Michael Stewart, Kaya Consulting

Repairs and dilapidations in commercial leases

After an examination of the common law, the importance of the schedule of condition will be considered. Insured and uninsured risk damage will also be covered along with key drafting points including payment in lieu. A discussion of dilapidations remedies available will bring the session to a conclusion.

Ken Gerber, Mitchells Roberton

Reporting on lease management documentation – the dos and don’ts

With the law of leases in Scotland becoming more and more complex, it is more important than ever that a solicitor acting in the purchase of commercial property appropriately covers off the position to his/her client.  This one session will look at the many points arising from a typical commercial lease in existence at the point of an acquisition of an investment property.

Amir Ismail, Holmes Mackillop

Better handling of complaints

Complaints are never welcome, but all practitioners face the risk of dissatisfaction. The SLCC will cover some of the main reasons behind complaints received and give some practical examples of how you might handle them better. If you’d like to see specific topics or questions covered, please feel free to ask in advance, so that they can be included in the presentation.

Susan Williams, Scottish Legal Complaints Commission