The Private Client 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.

As tax changes need to be planned for, new familial structures emerge and the existing law develops, our comprehensive conference will cover topics ranging from IHT reform, planning for blended families and cross-border issues to contentious executries and what to do when Powers of Attorney or Guardianships go wrong.

Chaired by Martin Campbell of Anderson Strathern, the conference will also include presentations from Sarah-Jane Macdonald of Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie, Emily Pike from Brodies, Richard Libberton of Thomson Cooper Accountants, Simon Barber from Title Research, Alison Pryde & Scott Flannigan of Anderson Strathern and Jane McNicol & Graeme Dickson from Thorntons.

This event is sponsored by Title Research

What's being covered?

Modern Family meets Succession

Sadly, not a cross-over between the TV series, but this session will look at how we plan for the modern/blended family situation to avoid issues later. Think of the make-up of the family in Modern Family, the patriarch with the young stepson and existing children, a wife from another jurisdiction, a son and son-in-law who adopted from abroad… this session will look at these circumstances and more.

Sarah-Jane Macdonald, Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie

Cross-border estates and the concept of domicile in succession law – a toolkit for Scottish private client advisers

Domicile as a tax concept has all but disappeared following the 2025 changes to inheritance tax rules, but it is still alive and well in matters of succession. In this session Emily Pike will explore key considerations for private client lawyers acting in cross-border estates, including interactions with the law of England & Wales. She will look in particular at issues facing families moving between the different jurisdictions of the UK and provide practical guidance for Scottish advisors who come across clients in this category. With an increasing number of estates turning contentious, it is more important than ever for private client lawyers to have a clear understanding of the law in this area and know when to seek external advice in their clients’ best interests.

Emily Pike, Brodies

Inheritance Tax reforms – farmers and business owners be(a)ware

This session will update where we are now with the reforms to IHT APR and BPR announced at last year’s UK Budget. This will include a review of the new rules and what they mean in practice to both individuals and trusts. Potential lifetime and death planning options both pre and post 5 April 2026 will be considered and there will be a review of potential ownership vehicles and their pros and cons. Will planning and post death planning options will also be discussed.

Alison Pryde & Martin Campbell, Anderson Strathern

How IHT on pensions will radically change pension planning post 2027

This session will cover the changes to pensions and inheritance tax, what this means for those with higher value pots and the mitigations strategies planners are adopting, including the use of trusts, gifting, business relief and life assurance.  We will also look at how client behaviours are adapting to the new regime.

Richard Libberton, Thomson Cooper Accountants

What to do when things go wrong with Powers of Attorney and Guardianships

In this session we will discuss how to assist clients faced with issues arising from Powers of Attorney or Guardianships (whether as the Adult, Attorney/Guardian or family member). What assistance can the OPG provide and what are the other remedies available? What recent decisions tell us about the attitude of the courts to matters? What does the recent Scottish Government consultation and response tell us about the likely future?

Jane McNicol & Graeme Dickson, Thorntons

Genealogy & executries – case studies in solutions and risk management

Using case studies we will explore how genealogy can provide solutions to executry challenges, as well as help to manage the risk that Executors may be exposed to. This will include multi-jurisdictional families, small legacies and tracing of apparently missing legatees. In addition we will look at how insurance solutions can be used as a support to both genealogists and those involved in managing executry matters.

Simon Barber, Title Research

Contentious executries: case law review and practical lessons

Key recent case law developments will be discussed together with practical guidance when it comes to dealing with a contentious executry matter.

Scott Flannigan, Anderson Strathern