Legal Services Agency is delighted to announce their in-person conference which will take place on the 13th May 2025. This conference brings together leading experts and industry professionals to explore the latest developments, trends, and best practices in private client law. Attendees will gain valuable insights on a range of topics, from estate planning and wealth management to notable case law updates.
Join us for an engaging day of knowledge-sharing, networking, and discussion, where you will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and stay ahead of the curve in this ever-evolving field. Whether you're looking to expand your expertise or build valuable relationships, the LSA Private Client Conference is the perfect environment for all your professional needs.
CPD 5.5 hours
PEAT Outcome - Relevant legal knowledge
OBJECTIVES
The conference will examine and discuss the following topics –
- Changes to the Laws of Intestacy
- Family business and farms estate planning post Budget 2024?
- Guardianship Applications: Back to Basics – ensuring your applications gets warranted
- Private Client – notable case law update.
- A Power of Attorney for today and tomorrow
PARTICIPANTS
This conference is aimed at all trainees, solicitors and legal professionals who are involved particularly in private client work.
SPEAKERS
John Kerrigan, Freelance Opinion Giver and Chair of the Conference
John is a freelance Opinion giver and is now in his 47th year of legal practice. He was a Tutor in Private Client at the Glasgow Graduate School of Law tutoring diploma students. He has chaired or taken part in conferences, seminars and webinars for various legal education providers on more than 700 occasions. He is a Member of the Trust and Succession Sub-Committee of the Law Society of Scotland since 2005. He has contributed to various articles to, inter alia, the Scots Law Times, The Journal of the Law Society of Scotland, The Scotsman and various other newspapers and periodical magazines. He is also current Editor of the Scottish Trusts and Succession Service provided by Greens. John is the author of “Drafting for Succession” now in its second edition. He is currently working on other legal literary works.
Alan Eccles, Founder, Alacrity: Scottish private client and charity law
Alan Eccles of Alacrity focusses on private client and charities work. He is ranked in Chambers for private client work and also for charity law (Band 1). In a time of reform in these legal areas, Alan gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament on new charity legislation and involved in research on the new trusts law. He is the author of the Scotland chapter in the textbook International Succession.
Roddy MacLeod, Advocate
Roddy is an experienced litigator. His practice encompasses disputes about a range of executry, succession and trust issues including; commissary practice; executry administration; will interpretation; challenging testamentary writings; claims for cohabitants; legal rights; judicial factory administration; domicile; trustee liability and much more. Roddy is a member of STEP.
Since August 2018 Roddy has been a Standing Junior Counsel to the Advocate General. Roddy appears in a variety of courts throughout Scotland, including the Land Court.
Prior to calling to the Bar, Roddy was a solicitor in private practice for 15 years. In addition to his legal career, Roddy was a retained fire fighter for 6 years.
Sandra McDonald, Advisor, Author and Ex-Public Guardian for Scotland
Sandra was the Public Guardian for Scotland for 14 years. She now draws on that experience to offer mental capacity advice and training. She acted as consultant to the Scottish Mental Health and Incapacity Law Review, specifically to support the adult incapacity law elements and was project lead for the 7th World Congress on Adult Capacity, held in Scotland in June 2022; a global event bringing together all the key players in this arena.
Sandra is the author of ‘Power of Attorney’: a one stop guide with all you need to know on granting, using or relying on power of attorney. She holds qualifications in law, public sector management and nursing. Sandra is a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s mental health and disability law subcommittee. She is Chair of the Dementia Trust and on the advisory group of the Centre for Mental Health and Capacity Law at Edinburgh Napier University and of Hourglass Scotland (formerly Action on Elder Abuse Scotland).
Lynne Lind, Senior Solicitor, T C Young
Lynne Lind is a Senior Solicitor in T C Young Private Client Team. Lynne qualified as a solicitor in 2016 and is a Notary Public. Before qualifying as a solicitor Lynne gained significant experience in dealing with various aspects of private client work, having worked as a paralegal for 11 years prior to qualification. Lynne has a particular interest in Adult Incapacity matters and worked within a specialist Adult Incapacity team for a number of years.
Lynne’s workload includes applying for Financial and Welfare Guardianship and Intervention Orders, opposing orders, providing general advice to families and carers of adults with incapacity, writing reports to accompany Guardianship and Intervention Order applications and preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney and Trusts for vulnerable beneficiaries.
Lynne works closely with families and individuals on these personal, and sometimes sensitive issues, providing support and understanding through what can be difficult times. Lynne has also provided advice, support and training to local carers groups and schools.
PROGRAMME
9.30-10.00 Registration and refreshments
10.00-10.15 Introduction from Chair - John Kerrigan, Freelance Opinion Giver
10.15-11.00 John Kerrigan, Freelance Opinion Giver; Changes to the Laws of Intestacy
11.00-11.15 Refreshments
11.15-12.00 Sandra McDonald, Ex-PG; A Power of Attorney for today and tomorrow
12.00-12.45 Roddy MacLeod, Advocate, Private Client – notable case law update
12.45-1.30 Lunch (provided)
1.30-2.15 Alan Eccles, Founder, Alacrity; Scottish private clients and charity law – Family business and farms estate planning post Budget 2024?
2.15-3.00 Lynne Lind, Senior Solicitor, TC Young; Guardianship Applications: Back to Basics – ensuring your applications gets warranted
3.00-3.30 Q&A and closing remarks
