Abstract

This podcast provides an overview of the law of succession, which regulates the passing of property on death. While Professor Roderick Paisley and Dr Alisdair MacPherson give their scholarly perspectives on succession law, especially in Scotland, Vanessa Holmes offers insights into how this legal area works in a specific context: namely, gifts left to universities. Succession is not only highly technical but endlessly fascinating. Listen to this podcast to find out why.

Biographies

Professor Roderick Paisley

Professor Roderick Paisley holds the prestigious Chair of Scots Law at the University of Aberdeen. He is a longstanding member of the University of Aberdeen’s School of Law as well as a well-established legal practitioner. His specialisms include property law, conveyancing, trusts and succession. Notable publications include Servitudes and Rights of Way (1998) (co-authored with D J Cusine) and Rights Ancillary to Servitudes (2022).

Link to Profile:

Professor Roderick Paisley | The University of Aberdeen

Dr Alisdair MacPherson

Dr Alisdair MacPherson is a Senior Lecturer in Commercial Law and Co-Director of the Centre for Scots Law at the University of Aberdeen. He joined the School of Law in 2018 after completing a PhD, and previously qualified as a solicitor (now non-practising). His specialisms include property law, the law of debt, and insolvency law, with various publications in these areas.

Link to Profile:

Dr Alisdair MacPherson | The University of Aberdeen

Mrs Vanessa Holmes

Vanessa Holmes is the University of Aberdeen’s Legacy Giving Officer. She joined the University in 2019, within the Development and Alumni Relations team and moved into this role in January 2022. She manages the Legacy programme at the University, increasing the awareness that the University is a place to potentially leave a gift in your will.

Link to Profile:

Mrs Vanessa Holmes | The University of Aberdeen

Dr Euan West

Dr Euan West is a lecturer in Scots private law at the University of Aberdeen who joined the School of Law in 2019. His research interests include the law of personal security and non-contractual obligations. A monograph based on his PhD thesis, which focused on the rights of guarantors, is forthcoming.

Link to Profile:

Dr Euan West | The University of Aberdeen

Additional Resources:

George L Gretton and Andrew J M Steven, Property, Trusts and Succession (5th edn, 2024)

D Ross MacDonald, Succession (3rd edn, 2001)

Succession (Scotland) Act 1964

Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024

Alisdair MacPherson and Roddy Paisley, Response to Scottish Parliament (Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee) Consultation on Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill (March 2023)

Alisdair MacPherson and Roddy Paisley, Scottish Government Consultation on Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill - Removal of Unlawful Killers as Executors (October 2023)

Both of the above consultation responses are available at -

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/law/research/centres/centre-for-scots-law/law-reform--public-policy-engagement/