Conveyancing - the Virtual Summer Series 2025

Complex legal and tax conundrums can sometimes seem very distant from everyday conveyancing. Our new online conference narrows that gap by taking a very practical focus on developments in areas such as common property, taxation and bankruptcy and applying it to the problems faced by your clients.

Chaired by Malcolm Combe of University of Strathclyde, the conference will include contributions from Professor Roddy Paisley of University of Aberdeen, Adèle Nicol from Anderson Strathern, Richard Frew and Paul McGuigan of the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer, Nicky-Ray Watson from Brodies and Ben Jones of Saffery.

This conference is proudly sponsored by First Scottish

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What's being covered?

Common property in modern conveyancing – some recent cases

The issues surrounding pro-indiviso property continue to be played out in the courts. Professor Paisley will consider the importance of the different strands.

Professor Roddy Paisley, University of Aberdeen

Private rented housing – now and the future

As the Housing (Scotland) Bill progresses through Parliament, this session will look at the current law, the proposals for change and other recent developments in residential leasing.

Adèle Nicol, Anderson Strathern

Community rights of acquisition – further developments

This session will provide an overview of the statutory rights of acquisition that exist for Scottish communities and reflect on the first court-sanctioned forced transfer of land from a private owner to a community body.

Malcolm Combe, University of Strathclyde

The Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016 and the family home – insights and practical tips for conveyancing professionals

This session will look at personal insolvency considerations in property transactions, in terms of the Bankruptcy (Scotland) Act 2016. There will be a particular focus on what constitutes a family home when an individual or entity has been sequestrated or entered a trust deed, and the consent or authority required for a trustee to sell. The session will also cover practical insolvency matters which may arise in a property sale or transfer, including vesting and reinvesting of property, the debtor's discharge, and gratuitous alienations.

Nicky-Ray Watson, Brodies

Introduction to the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme

Hosted by the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (KLTR), this session provides an overview of the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS), a transformative initiative launched last year. OPTS enables public bodies, local authorities and community groups to acquire ownerless property at below market value, offering new opportunities for community regeneration and development in both urban and rural Scotland.  In this session, the provisions of the OPTS and its relevance to conveyancers will be explored, including practical implications and procedural requirements, equipping attendees with valuable insights.

Richard Frew & Paul McGuigan, the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer

Property tax update

This update covers upcoming and recent changes to tax affecting property in Scotland, including Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Income Tax and VAT, as well as an overview on Making Tax Digital and a refresher on the current tax rules in play for Scottish landlords, property investors, property professionals and homeowners.

Ben Jones, Saffery