Conveyancing at Scots Law 2026

We are delighted to be returning to the Hilton Glasgow* for the first in our Scots Law 2026 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 a fresh take on the Irvine Knitters rule and current issues concerning Deeds of Conditions to tax developments, housing, planning and some key recent decisions from the courts.

Andrew will be joined by a panel of experts including Professor Roddy Paisley of the University of Aberdeen, Adèle Nicol & Jennifer Preston from Anderson Strathern, Robert Sutherland of Terra Firma Chambers, Lisa Conway & Martin Beal of the Mining Remediation Authority, Neil Collar from Brodies and Benjamin Jones of Saffery.

This conference is proudly sponsored by First Scottish

What's being covered?

A fresh take on the Irvine Knitters rule

The Irvine Knitters rule requires servitudes to be specific to an identified dominant tenement. In this session, Professor Paisley will discuss selected aspects of the rule and its implications for conveyancers.

Professor Roddy Paisley, University of Aberdeen

Deeds of Conditions for new homes and old estates: current issues

Deeds of conditions set up how common areas are managed for hundreds of thousands of homes across Scotland. But how do they work in practice? And can homeowners really enforce title conditions which stop caravans being parked in driveways or neighbours building a new wall around their garden? Andrew will explore current issues with managing deeds of conditions and will look at how they are created and enforced in light of a recent Sheriff Court case which appeared to suggest that title conditions in deeds of conditions should be enforced simply because everyone expects them to be enforced.

Andrew Todd, Springfield Properties

Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 and Housing Update

In this session the content of the Act will be discussed, including the creation of rent control areas and dealing with evictions. The forthcoming introduction of Energy Performance Certificates will also be considered along with some recent case law which clarifies the interpretation of existing statute or common law relating to housing.

Adèle Nicol & Jennifer Preston, Anderson Strathern

Key planning law issues for conveyancers

This session will consider:

• necessary consents obtained/ permitted development rights/ use classes
• listed buildings/ conservation areas
• procedures to obtain consents
• Section 75 obligations, and
• judicial review

Neil Collar, Brodies

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

Keeping Scotland’s property transactions moving with trusted coal mining reports

The Mining Remediation Authority has been responsible for managing coal mining legacy since 1994, with a clear mission to protect people, property, and the environment in former coalfield areas. In this session, Lisa Conway and Martin Beal will provide an overview of the Authority’s role and guide delegates through their trusted coal mining reports, including:

• when a CON29M Coal Mining report is required
• when a Mine Entry Interpretive report is recommended
• the value of a No Search Certificate for properties located off the coalfields

This session is designed to build confidence when handling property transactions on and off Scotland’s coalfields. Lorna Innes of First Scottish will also share the importance of information from source and the value of strong after service.

Lisa Conway & Martin Beal, Mining Remediation Authority

Property tax update

This session will look at changes to Inheritance Tax, important areas of consideration from the Scottish and UK Budgets and the implications of the UK Government’s Making Tax Digital initiative.

Benjamin Jones, Saffery

*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.