The Conveyancing Conference at Scots Law 2025

Murrayfield Stadium is the venue for the next event in our Scots Law Conference Series, exclusively available to delegates in person on the day.

With topics ranging from the creation of real burdens, the Land Reform Bill and what is currently concerning lenders to the upcoming tenements legislation, what to do when plans reports throw up anomalies and the impact of recent caselaw, our comprehensive conference will consider some of the most important current developments which have an impact on you and the advice you provide to your clients.

Chaired by the Law Commissioner, Ann Stewart of Shepherd & Wedderburn, the conference will include presentations from Professor Roddy Paisley of the University of Aberdeen, Isla Davie KC from Ampersand, Professor Frankie McCarthy of the Scottish Law Commission, Stewart McKenzie from Nationwide Building Society, Dr Malcolm Combe of the University of Strathclyde, Lorna Innes & Derek Hand from First Scottish and Lisa Conway & Martin Beal of the Mining Remediation Authority.

This conference is proudly sponsored by First Scottish

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What's being covered?

The content and use of real burdens

This session will consider what you can put into a real burden and what you cannot do. Some drafting advice will also be provided.

Professor Roddy Paisley, University of Aberdeen

Current issues affecting residential mortgage lending

In this session we’ll look at some of the most important concerns that impact on residential mortgage lending including climate change, energy performance and cladding. We’ll also discuss where conveyancers and lenders can work together to try and make each conveyancing transaction progress to completion as smoothly as possible.

Stewart McKenzie, Nationwide Building Society

Tenement law: compulsory owners’ associations

Professor McCarthy will summarise the final recommendations to emerge from the Scottish Law Commission’s project on owners’ associations in tenement buildings. If enacted, the draft Bill will create a new form of body corporate known as a ‘tenement owners’ association’. Every tenement in Scotland will have such an association, and every flat owner will necessarily be a member of the association for their tenement. This paper will outline the remit of the association, the key duties on owners and the (limited) extent to which the statutory provisions can be modified by the tenement titles.

Professor Frankie McCarthy, Scottish Law Commission

Land reform update

The Scottish Parliament continues to be active in the land reform field. This session will provide an update on (at the time of writing) Bill provisions around “large land holdings”, and what will be required of the owners of such holdings when it comes to: a) land management plans and engagement with local communities; b) prior notification for communities for certain land transfers; and c) lotting of large land holdings when a transfer is planned. There will also be discussion of the role of the new Land and Communities Commissioner.

Dr Malcolm Combe, University of Strathclyde

Plans reports

What do you need to consider when your plans report highlights shortfalls, additional ground or competing titles? This presentation will cover each of these scenarios and offer advice on what you need to consider before taking any remedial action.

Derek Hand, First Scottish

May the Source be with you

In this session, we’ll take you behind the scenes of how the Mining Remediation Authority (the UK’s only public body dedicated to managing coal mining legacy) proactively manage coal mining legacy risks and where their trusted information comes from. You’ll gain valuable insights into the most common challenges legal professionals face when dealing with properties across the coalfields and how to ensure you’re requesting the right reports for your client’s needs. Lorna Innes from First Scottish will provide an insightful update on the Scottish property market and explain why reliable information from a trusted source is more important than ever. By the end of this session, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to better protect your clients and safeguard your professional reputation when handling property transactions across former mining areas.

Lisa Conway & Martin Beal, Mining Remediation Authority and Lorna Innes, First Scottish

Property case law update

The most significant cases over the last 12 months will be discussed, including the decisions taken in those cases and the possible impact for conveyancers.

Isla Davie KC, Ampersand