Private Client 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 leading private client expert, John Kerrigan, will cover a range of topics drawn from key practice areas including IHT planning post-Budget, contentious executries, trusts and charities.

The conference will include presentations by John McArthur from Gillespie Macandrew, Roddy MacLeod of Terra Firma Chambers, Stuart Mackie from Thorntons, Annie Pearson of Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, Simon Barber from Title Research and Gillian Harkness-McKinlay of Anderson Strathern.

Questions to be considered will include

• what are the key IHT planning issues post-Budget?
• how can you help your clients understand trusts?
• how can you draft wills to reduce challenge, prevent ambiguity and ensure the testator’s wishes are respected?
• how effective have the recent charity law reforms been?

What's being covered?

Effective will drafting: preventing contentious executries

This session explores the role of will drafting in minimizing disputes arising during estate administration. You will gain an understanding of how clear, well-structured wills can prevent ambiguity, reduce the risk of challenges and ensure that the wishes of the testator are respected.

Stuart Mackie, Thorntons

IHT Planning post-Budget

A new Government brings new priorities and approaches to funding the public purse. This essential session will consider the impact on IHT planning and the effect this has on your advice.

John McArthur, Gillespie Macandrew

Jargon-busting trusts

Trusts are an area of law which seems to come with its own language, which can make giving practical advice a daunting task.  This presentation will look at some common and less-common technical terms from the world of trusts and give plain English explanations to help you to help your clients.

Annie Pearson, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie

Problems for executors

This presentation will provide an analysis of legal and practical issues with: competing wills; title to sue; conflict of interest; and distribution of estates.

Roddy MacLeod, Terra Firma Chambers

Current charity law round-up

Implementation of the recent charity law reforms will be covered together with a look at what can be learned from OSCR inquiries and other topical updates.

Gillian Harkness-McKinlay, Anderson Strathern

Navigating challenging executries

In this session we will consider: streaming initial tasks via outsourcing; overseas assets – resealing confirmations and repatriating the assets; missing beneficiaries; bonds of caution and intestate executries; and insurance options.

Simon Barber, Title Research

*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 event is sponsored by Title Research