Crofting law advice

I deal with all matters of crofting law, particularly complex and / or contentious matters and particularly relating to the regulatory system.

For Law Firms

  • I act for firms all across Scotland, both firms with expertise who do not have capacity to deal with the more labour intensive matters, and also for firms who do not have crofting expertise but do not wish to refer their client to another law firm.

  • Sometimes you may just need phone calls now and again to discuss strategy, and sometimes you might want to put me in contact with a client directly and let us get on with it. Either is fine with me, and everything in between as well. In just depends on your client and the nature of the transaction.

 For crofters

  • Matters relating to the Crofting Register including first registration, updating and rectification of existing registered boundaries.

  • Regulatory matters (decrofting, letting, division, assignation etc) including complex and / or contentious matters.

  • Croft boundary matters.

  • Croft access matters.

  • Croft / township boundary research.

  • Croft tenancy succession and associated matters.

  • Negotiation of terms and conditions in advance of croft purchase transactions.

  • Croft status matters (related to eligibility for CHGS and CCAGS).

  • I can also deal with Scottish Land Court matters including appeals of Crofting Commission decisions, purchase applications where a crofter is purchasing from a landlord, croft status applications, and boundary matters.

 

For those looking to purchase a croft

  • Advising on the crofting system generally, the rights and responsibilities of crofters and penalties for breach.

  • Checking and advising on the history and status of a croft (esp. owned, owner-occupied and vacant crofts).

  • Assisting your solicitor in whatever way and to whatever degree is required; some solicitors do not have the expertise to deal with crofting law, and some simply do not have the capacity to deal with the extra work it entails.

  • Dealing with croft registration or updating of the Crofting Register arising from the purchase.

 I also work with…

  • Land agents

  • Estate agents

  • Landlords

  • Private companies operating commercial developments in crofting areas.

  • Common Grazings Committees and Sheep Stock Clubs.

  • Advising crofting groups and crofting communities in relation to acquisitions of land under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the Transfer of Crofting Estates Act 1997.