The Bill aims to reform the law around large landholdings and certain types of leases of land.
This is a Government bill
The Bill was introduced on 13 March 2024 and is at Stage 1
This Bill is at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
The Bill is in two main parts.
Part 1 deals with large landholdings.
This part of the Bill:
Part 2 of the Bill deals with certain types of leases of land and has three chapters.
Chapter 1 requires Ministers to publish a model lease that can be used for letting land for an environmental purpose.
Chapter 2 makes changes to the law relating to small landholdings, including:
Chapter 3 makes changes to the law relating to agricultural holdings, including:
This Bill is part of the Scottish Government’s ongoing programme of land reform.
Part 1 of the Bill is based on the Scottish Land Commission’s recommendations relating to the scale and concentration of land ownership.
Part 2 of the Bill supports the Scottish Government’s Vision for Agriculture and its ambition to “become a global leader in sustainable and regenerative agriculture”.
Land Reform (Scotland) Bill as introduced (6MB, pdf) posted 13 March 2024
Explanatory Notes (512KB, pdf) posted 14 March 2024
Policy Memorandum (496KB, pdf) posted 14 March 2024
Financial Memorandum (619KB, pdf) posted 14 March 2024
Delegated Powers Memorandum (468KB, pdf) posted 14 March 2024
Statements on legislative competence (109KB, pdf) posted 14 March 2024
Explanatory Notes (595KB, pdf) posted 13 March 2024
Policy Memorandum (674KB, pdf) posted 13 March 2024
Financial Memorandum (932KB, pdf) posted 13 March 2024
Delegated Powers Memorandum (456KB, pdf) posted 13 March 2024
Statements on legislative competence (159KB, pdf) posted 13 March 2024
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
This Bill requires Crown consent. It is expected that this consent will be signified at Stage 3.
Crown consent is a process which requires Scottish Government ministers to seek the consent of the Crown in relation to certain Bills. You can find out more in About Bills.
The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is required for this Bill.
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
If a Bill requires a Financial Resolution:
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
The Bill was introduced on 13 March 2024
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.
The Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee held a call for views to help inform its examination of the Bill.
The call for views closed on 21 May 2024.
Letter from Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, 26 July 2024
Letter from Scottish Land Commission, 27 June 2024
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, 14 May 2024
Letter from the Minister for Parliamentary Business, 28 March 2024
See a full list of Stage 1 correspondence
If a Bill is relevant to more than one committee, 'secondary committees' may consider and report on the general principles of the Bill to the lead committee. Some Bills may also be considered by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee or the Finance and Public Administration Committee.
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands to the Convener, 26 September 2024
Letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands from the Convener, 18 September 2024
Letter from the Scottish Land & Estates to the Convener, 14 August 2024
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands to the Convener, 31 July 2024
Letter from the Convener to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, 21 June 2024
See a full list of Stage 1 correspondence