Skip to content
Law Society of Scotland
Search
Find a Solicitor
Contact us
About us
Sign in
Search
Find a Solicitor
Contact us
About us
Sign in
  • For members

    • For members

    • CPD & Training

    • Membership and fees

    • Rules and guidance

    • Regulation and compliance

    • Journal

    • Business support

    • Career growth

    • Member benefits

    • Professional support

    • Lawscot Wellbeing

    • Lawscot Sustainability

  • News and events

    • News and events

    • Law Society news

    • Blogs & opinions

    • CPD & Training

    • Events

  • Qualifying and education

    • Qualifying and education

    • Qualifying as a Scottish solicitor

    • Career support and advice

    • Our work with schools

    • Funding your education

    • Social mobility

  • Research and policy

    • Research and policy

    • Research

    • Influencing the law and policy

    • Equality and diversity

    • Our international work

    • Legal Services Review

    • Meet the Policy team

  • For the public

    • For the public

    • What solicitors can do for you

    • Making a complaint

    • Client protection

    • Find a Solicitor

    • Frequently asked questions

    • Your Scottish solicitor

  • About us

    • About us

    • Contact us

    • Who we are

    • Our strategy, reports and plans

    • Help and advice

    • Our standards

    • Work with us

    • Our logo and branding

    • Equality and diversity

  1. Home
  2. News and events
  3. Legal news
  4. CML announces Scottish Handbook changes

CML announces Scottish Handbook changes

6th May 2015 | property (non-commercial)

Changes to its Handbook setting out instructions from mortgage lenders to solicitors in Scotland were announced today by the Council of Mortgage Lenders.

The changes, which take effect from 8 June 2015, reflect the amended law under the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 2012, and the introduction of land and buildings transaction tax in place of stamp duty land tax in Scotland, but also embody the outcome of negotiations with the Law Society of Scotland following the defeat of the proposed practice rule to require separate representation of mortgage borrowers and lenders.

The section on good and marketable title has been revised in Scotland to reflect changes made to the wording already amended in the Handbook for England & Wales. 

The new amendments follow on from previous amendments put into practice in December 2014.

Welcoming the outcome, Alistair Morris, President of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “The updated Handbook is good news for conveyancing solicitors in Scotland.

Mr Morris, who also convened the Society’s CML working party, commented: “Updating the Handbook has been a joint process between the Society and the Council of Mortgage Lenders. We have worked constructively with the CML to ensure that the changes to the Handbook provide clarity for conveyancers on a range of areas and make it more suitable for Scottish practice and procedure – and of course it’s worth remembering that the Handbook is a living document and will require further changes as time progresses and risk and practices change.

“It’s important that solicitors are aware of the changes and follow the CML Handbook to ensure that their work on behalf of their lender clients, as well as homebuyers and sellers, progresses smoothly.”

Click here to access the Handbook showing the amendments.

Add To Favorites
Law Society of Scotland
Atria One, 144 Morrison Street
Edinburgh
EH3 8EX
If you’re looking for a solicitor, visit FindaSolicitor.scot
T: +44(0) 131 226 7411
E: lawscot@lawscot.org.uk
About us
  • Contact us
  • Who we are
  • Strategy reports plans
  • Help and advice
  • Our standards
  • Work with us
Useful links
  • Find a Solicitor
  • Sign in
  • CPD & Training
  • Rules and guidance
  • Website terms and conditions
Law Society of Scotland | © 2025
Made by Gecko Agency Limited