COP26 and the role of agriculture in climate change
All eyes will be on Glasgow shortly with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) Conference of the Parties (COP26) set to run from 31 October to 12...
When does the prescriptive clock start?
In Scotland, prescription is regulated by the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, The 1973 Act provides that the obligation to make reparation is subject to the five year prescriptive...
Trust Registration Service extended to non-taxable trusts
Following our update last year on the planned expansion to HMRC’s Trust Registration Service (TRS) as required by the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5AMLD), the expansion has now been fully...
Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Act 2021
The Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Act 2021 received Royal Assent on 4th August 2021 and came into force on 5th August 2021.
Telecoms mast leases: a change of direction?
Two recent cases involving telecoms leases will be of interest to landowners and mobile network operators alike, offering guidance on the renewal of existing agreements under the electronic communications code.
Tax increases announced September 2021
On Tuesday 7th September, the Prime Minister announced the Government’s plans to address the financial impact of Covid-19 on the NHS and to provide additional funding for health and social...
Conservation burdens, carbon capture and biodiversity loss
The Title Conditions (Scotland) Act 2003 introduced new types of title burdens, including conservation burdens. 18 years since enactment, however, they are still a relatively rare beast. This article explains...
Efficient gifting for inheritance tax
How can I make cash gifts to family or trusts which don’t have to be of a fixed or capped amount and which are immediately free from inheritance tax (IHT)...
Family investment companies – end of HMRC review
Family investment companies (FICs) have become popular in recent years as an alternative to trusts, for the long-term management and preservation of family and intergenerational wealth. FICs are also used...
Personal injury trusts
Trusts in Scotland can be utilised for a number of reasons. An individual may, for example, wish to pass wealth to a younger generation while retaining control of the underlying...
Opportunities from power storage
Energy storage in batteries offers good opportunities for landowners as the quest for the UK to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 continues.