Reform and other challenges
£200 + VAT (member) / £250 + VAT (non-member)
Murrayfield Stadium is the venue for the next event in our Scots Law Conference Series, exclusively available to delegates in person on the day.
We are delighted to welcome the leading rural lawyer Hamish Lean of Shepherd & Wedderburn who will be chairing our well established Annual Rural Conference. Hamish will be joined by a panel of expert speakers who will focus on a range of subjects from the Land Reform Bill, tax and repair of houses in let farms to health and safety in agriculture and current developments in crofting law.
Hamish will be joined by the chair of the Scottish Land Commission, Michael Russell, Brian Inkster of Inksters, Anna Gardiner of Scottish Land and Estates, Robert Sutherland from Terra Firma Chambers, Graham Stewart of Saffery, Kevin Clancy from Shepherd & Wedderburn and Craig Forster of HighWater.
Early booking is strongly advised for one of the most popular rural conferences of the year.
Questions to be considered will include
- what are the priorities of the Scottish Land Commission going forward?
- where do conflicts arise with housing on agricultural holdings and what may be the solutions?
- what tax changes might we see and what practical issues might arise from the October 2024 Budget?
- what can be learned from recent case law?
- what is the current position in relation to reform?
- what are the pitfalls of private water supplies in conveyancing?
The priorities of the Scottish Land Commission
The Scottish Land Commission, established by statute in 2016, exists to advise on, and promote, Land Reform in Scotland. Working to secure a strong evidence base, during the coming year its priority will be to offer advice on the current Land Reform Bill to Government, Parliament and more widely to those engaged in the task of endeavouring to secure an effective piece of legislation that furthers the public interest and ensure that land is treated as an important asset for the nation. In recent months the Commission has also been active on the housing issue and the Commission continues to offer advice and guidance to landowners, government bodies farmers, communities and individuals with regard to best practice.
Michael Russell, Scottish Land Commission
Housing on agricultural holdings: Is this fixed equipment of the farm or privately rented houses – or can they be both?
Agricultural tenancies often include housing, and determining the required housing standards, as well as who is responsible for maintaining them, can be contentious. Agricultural Holdings legislation outlines shared responsibility between landlords and tenants for maintaining dwellings in good condition. However, broader housing legislation, which governs rental property standards and responsibilities, sometimes clashes with these rules, leading to confusion—particularly over the identity of the "deemed landlord" in certain cases. As housing standards and landlord responsibilities evolve, it's crucial to clarify the roles of both parties in agricultural tenancy agreements. This presentation will touch on the background legislation, and where conflicts arise with housing on agricultural holdings and consider the solutions.
Anna Gardiner, Scottish Land and Estates
Agricultural tenancies reform – proposals in the Land Reform Bill, an update
In this session Hamish will update delegates on the key proposals in the Bill, with particular consideration of resumption, rent review and the standardised claim procedure.
Hamish Lean, Shepherd & Wedderburn
Rural case law review
A review of key recent cases concerning, amongst other matters, agricultural tenancies, rural litigation practice and procedure, conveyancing, servitudes, the Electronic Communications Code, and other cases of likely interest to the rural law practitioner. 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
Crofting Law in 2024
In this session we will look at recent crofting caselaw and its likely impact on your advice. We will also consider the latest position in relation to crofting law reform.
Brian Inkster, Inksters
Tax update
In this session the tax changes to furnished holiday lets from 6 April 2025 and the transitional rules will be considered. We will also look at the proposed changes to the rules for UK landowners who are non-UK domiciled, and non-resident trusts owning UK rural estates. What tax changes we might see and practical issues which might arise from the October 2024 Budget will be discussed too.
Graham Stewart, Saffery
Health & safety in agriculture
Health and safety expert Kevin Clancy will discuss the various health and safety law duties and obligations relevant to the agricultural sector, a consideration of practical steps land owners can take to manage risk, the powers of inspectors, as well as examining several recent court prosecutions that should serve as a reminder of the preventative steps that ought to be taken to avoid accidents occurring.
Kevin Clancy, Shepherd & Wedderburn
The pitfalls of private water supplies in conveyancing
A review of the common issues and complications that private water supplies can cause during the conveyancing of rural residential property. The session will also look at the legal responsibility that a purchaser will have for private water supplies, which they might not fully appreciate or understand.
Craig Forster, HighWater
