Scotland Building Surveying and Dilapidations Conference

Neil Wotherspoon FRICS, Senior Director, TFT, Member of the RICS PGP

Stay up to date with the latest changes in building safety, including topics such as cladding remediation, the management of RAAC, the new building safety levy, and fire safety regulations. This session will provide clarity on compliance responsibilities and practical steps for surveyors navigating these evolving requirements.

Bruce Callan, MEng (Hons) CEng MIFireE, Director, Scotland Fire Engineering, JENSEN HUGHES

Addressing the challenges and design considerations faced in today’s construction, focussing on:

• Environmental & Sustainable Waterproofing Systems
• Biodiversity Net Gain, Biosolar & Green Roof Systems
• Climate Change
• Blue Roofs & Understanding of Achieving SuDS Targets
   

Stephen Humberstone, Alumasc Roofing

Stream A is focussed on building surveying topics and stream B is focussed on dilapidations – please choose the session you want to attend live on the day.

Chairing Building Surveying stream: Neil Wotherspoon FRICS, Senior Director, TFT, Member of the RICS PGP

Chairing Dilapidations stream: Gillian Murray MRICS, Managing Director, Slipperfield Building Consultancy Limited

1A Building Surveying

Improving building performance - strategies for insulation, energy efficiency, and the value of sustainability

Energy efficiency and insulation are at the heart of improving building performance. This session will examine practical interventions surveyors can recommend to clients, linking sustainability goals with asset value, cost savings, and long-term resilience.

1B Dilapidations

Payment clauses and the role of the Certifying Surveyor

Explore the critical role of the Certifying Surveyor in ensuring compliance with payment clauses. This session will unpack the legal framework, highlight common areas of dispute, and provide practical guidance on balancing contractual duties with professional responsibilities. Delegates will gain clarity on best practice for certification, risk management, and supporting appropriate outcomes for all parties.

Key points covered:

• Understanding payment clause requirements.
• The responsibilities and liabilities of the Certifying Surveyor.
• Common pitfalls and disputes in certification – and how to avoid them.
• Practical guidance for maintaining professionalism, impartiality, and compliance.
  
  

Jon Rowling FRICS, Senior Specialist, Building Standards, RICS

2A Building Surveying

Prescription Law

Description to follow

Linzi Hedalen, Partner, Dentons

2B Dilapidations

The Court Reporter role: hints & traps for the Reporter and for the other building surveyors in the process
Gain clarity on the Court Reporter role in the context of dilapidations disputes. This session will examine the procedural requirements, practical challenges, and common pitfalls faced by professionals appointed to prepare reports. Through real-world examples, delegates will explore how to manage competing interests, balance technical and legal responsibilities, and deliver reports that stand up to scrutiny.

Key points covered:

• Legal framework and professional duties of the Court Reporter role.
• Practical issues in evidence gathering and stakeholder management.
• Common challenges and risks – and how to mitigate them.
• Lessons learned from recent cases and practical examples.
   

Alan McMillan, Partner, Burness Paull LLP

3A Building Surveying

The Future of Building Surveying in Scotland

Building Surveying education in Scotland is declining, with little government funding and dwindling student numbers. This panel session will explore the changes needed in Scotland to improve Building Surveying education through higher education courses and apprenticeships and wider engagement with the Scottish public – inspiring the building surveyors of the future.

Panel session with university and academia representatives, employers, and RICS

3B Dilapidations

Enhancing collaboration between surveyors and lawyers in the dilapidations process

This session explores the critical collaboration between surveyors, both Building Surveyors but also Valuation Surveyors (where appropriate), and lawyers within the dilapidations process, examining how each profession’s expertise and coordination can improve outcomes and mitigate costly oversights.

Fiona MacGregor, Counsel, Dentons, and Sheila Webster, Consultant, Thorntons

4A Building Surveying

Common defects in modern cladding systems

This session explores the evolving challenges associated with modern cladding systems in contemporary construction. It will examine typical design, installation, and material-related defects, highlight the implications for building performance and safety, and discuss current best practices for inspection, remediation, and compliance.

Phil Diamond, CEO, Diamond & Co. Building Consultancy

4B Dilapidations

Recording Settlements - Without prejudice, privilege, offers, expenses, and interest

Settlement discussions can be fraught with risk if not properly documented. This session will demystify the rules around “without prejudice” privilege, explore how offers and expenses should be handled, and highlight the implications for surveyors involved in dilapidations and dispute resolution. Delegates will leave with a clearer understanding of how to record settlements effectively while protecting their clients’ interests.

The session will include:

• The principles of “without prejudice” and legal privilege and when they apply.
• Correctly recording and communicating offers to avoid risk.
• What are you settling? - drafting settlement agreements/forms of release to avoid loose ends.
• Issues around expenses, timescales, implications of non-compliance, interest and confidentiality.
   

Lynsay Cargill, Legal Director, Morton Fraser MacRoberts LLP

Neil Wotherspoon FRICS, Senior Director, TFT, Member of the RICS PGP and Gillian Murray MRICS, Managing Director, Slipperfield Building Consultancy Limited

This Q&A panel session with conference speakers gives a chance for attendees to ask burning questions and receive answers from our expert speakers.