Conveyancing at Scots Law 2025

We are delighted to be returning to the Hilton Glasgow* for the first in our Scots Law 2025 Conference Series, exclusively available to delegates in person on the day.

Our new conference, chaired by Andrew Todd of Springfield Properties, will cover a range of topics from public access to land and an analysis of the decisions from the New Homes Ombudsman to how to advise clients in relation to student accommodation. The conference will also include a panel discussion on the future skills required to be a successful conveyancer in the age of AI.

The conference will Include contributions from Margaret McLean of CMS, Robert Sutherland from Terra Firma Chambers, Malcolm Combe of the University of Strathclyde, Lisa Conway and Phil Holder from the Coal Authority, Matthew Smith of Registers of Scotland, Rachel Oliphant from Pinsent Masons, Amir Ismail of Holmes Mackillop, Marie Canning from Thorntons and Stuart McDonald of ProTech Legal.

What's being covered?

Public access to land – where are we in 2025?

This presentation will provide a refresher about all things public access to land in Scotland, whilst also covering the most recent case law, including Brown v Glasgow City Council (on the overarching local authority duty to consider access rights whilst making decisions).

Malcolm Combe, University of Strathclyde

The Requirements of Writing Act and how it affects the registration of deeds

This presentation will provide a deeper dive into the interplay between the registration of deeds in the Keeper's registers and execution of deeds under the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995. It will include discussion on why Registers of Scotland have to reject deeds and feature some worked examples.

Matthew Smith, Registers of Scotland

The future of conveyancing: panel discussion

As the profession grapples with changes in both law and practice this session will bring together lawyers teaching the Diploma in Legal Practice to discuss the future skills required to be a successful conveyancer in the age of A.I..

Marie Canning, Thorntons, Rachel Oliphant, Pinsent Masons, Amir Ismail, Holmes Mackillop and Andrew Todd, Springfield Properties

Legal tech toolkit: 10 essential tools to improve your legal practice

This presentation delves into a carefully curated collection of ten tech solutions that aim to boost efficiency and productivity in legal practices. Attendees will gain insights into how these tools can effortlessly integrate into their workflows, empowering them to become more effective and stay ahead.

Stuart McDonald, ProTech Legal

The Coalfield is “like a box of chocolates”

You never know what you’re going to get…until you get a Coal Authority CON29M report! The Coal Authority's reports are essential for anyone involved in property transactions across the Scottish coalfields. This insightful and interactive session will delve into the intricacies of the Coal Authority CON29M report and what to look out for. If a mine entry is flagged, it will be demonstrated how the Coal Authority accurately digitise the property footprint and boundary to ensure a comprehensive risk assessment is provided. There will also be some exciting updates and improvements based on customer feedback to share. With 51% of Scotland sitting across the coalfields and over 23,000 mine entries in their extensive database, having accurate information from a trusted government body is crucial. Delegates will learn how to protect their clients and safeguard their reputation from those who proactively manage mining legacy.

Lisa Conway and Phil Holder, Coal Authority

Student accommodation – points to consider

Margaret McLean, CMS

I’m unhappy with my new home: the New Homes Ombudsman caselaw

If a client buys a new home they may be able to complain to the New Homes Ombudsman if they are unhappy. The New Homes Ombudsman was created in 2023 and has, over the last 12 months, issued a series of decisions setting out how it deals with customer complaints. This session will examine those decisions and identify if there are any patterns to help client make effective complaints.

Andrew Todd, Springfield Properties

Conveyancing case law review

A review of key recent cases likely to be of interest to residential and commercial conveyancing practitioners.  The review will consider the not only the outcome of these decisions, but what effects they may have and what lessons can be learnt from them.

Robert Sutherland, Terra Firma Chambers

*A reduced parking rate of £10 per car is available onsite at the hotel. A code will be issued during the conference which can be entered into the pay station when paying before leaving the car park.

This conference is proudly sponsored by First Scottish