Dealing with inaccurate title deeds seminar

Frances Rooney, formerly of Harper Macleod, is the founding member of Lexares LLP.

Frances is well known as one of Scotland’s leading experts on land registration, and for many years has worked closely with Registers of Scotland (RoS), the Law Society of Scotland (LSS), academics and other key stakeholders in shaping law and practice following the overhaul of land and property law under the Land Registration etc (Scotland) Act 2012.

A prolific author and speaker on all matters relating to property law and conveyancing, Frances has produced over 50 publications and talks, most notably authoring the second reissue of the Conveyancing title of the Stair Memorial Encyclopaedia. Other publications include a long running series in the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland co-authored with senior members of staff at RoS to assist the profession with the practical issues of land registration following the 2012 Act’s implementation, and contributions to works such as Millar & Bryce’s Conveyancing manual.

In addition, Frances is a member of the Property Law Committee of the Law Society of Scotland, and also sits on various other committees and working parties including RoS’ public stakeholder group, land registration mapping working party, and digital services registration group; LSS’s common property project; and an LSS/PSG working party creating standardised residential styles for the profession. Previously she was a tutor in the property law course of the Diploma in Legal Practice at Glasgow University.

In recent years Frances has been highly commended under the Rising Star of the Year category at the Legal Awards, and mentioned in Legal 500 as a recommended lawyer, with comments in that publication noting that she is “tenacious” and “always goes the extra mile for her clients”.

Following many years of assisting other solicitors with tricky title problems and land registration issues, Frances founded Lexares LLP in 2018 to focus on providing specific services to the conveyancing profession. Lexares offers pay-as-you-go professional support lawyer service; internal or external training and CPD; property and title issue opinion work; and a land registration assistance service. If you would like any more detail on any of these services please contact Frances on [email protected]

John joined Millar & Bryce in April 2018 and brings more than 30 years of legal, mapping and policy experience from his previous career at Registers of Scotland. John was instrumental in the implementation of the Land Registration etc (Scotland) Act 2012 including the programme of action to complete the Land Register and he led on a number of major changes at RoS, ranging from implementation of the 2012 Act and the launch of the development plan approval service, through to successful delivery of phase 1 of RoS’s digital transformation programme which included both the digital discharge service and ScotLIS.

John has extensive hands-on experience of Voluntary Registration and an in-depth knowledge of how to cost-effectively manage the process of moving a client’s landholdings from Sasine deeds through to registration on the Land Register.

An expert in land registration, John also heads up the Rectification Service within Millar & Bryce and is best placed to advise clients on any title problems or land register issues that may emerge during the preparation of titles for registration.

Andrew advises clients across both public and private sectors in relation to all litigious matters. His experience incorporates litigation at Sheriff Court and Court of Session level, principally contractual and property disputes, as well as actions at both the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland.

Andrew regularly represents clients in the Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland, including Commercial Actions, and at the Lands Tribunal for Scotland and Scottish Land Court. Through his experience in complex litigations, Andrew has developed forensic analytical skills, reviewing substantial volumes of documents and preparing reports on relevant facts, legal issues and prospects of success.

He also has experience representing clients in quasi-judicial proceedings, including making written and oral representations to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland and various disciplinary panels of regulatory bodies.

Andrew sits part-time as a Legal Member of the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber).

Andrew advises clients across both public and private sectors in relation to all litigious matters. His experience incorporates litigation at Sheriff Court and Court of Session level, principally contractual and property disputes, as well as actions at both the Scottish Land Court and the Lands Tribunal for Scotland.

Andrew regularly represents clients in the Sheriff Courts throughout Scotland, including Commercial Actions, and at the Lands Tribunal for Scotland and Scottish Land Court. Through his experience in complex litigations, Andrew has developed forensic analytical skills, reviewing substantial volumes of documents and preparing reports on relevant facts, legal issues and prospects of success.

He also has experience representing clients in quasi-judicial proceedings, including making written and oral representations to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland and various disciplinary panels of regulatory bodies.

Andrew sits part-time as a Legal Member of the First-tier Tribunal (Housing and Property Chamber).