Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995

Section 14(1)

SCHEDULE 4S Minor and Consequential Amendments

General adaptationS

1(1)Any reference in any other enactment to a probative document shall, in relation to a document executed after the commencement of this Act, be construed as a reference to a document in relation to which section 6(2)[F1or [F29G(2)]] of this Act applies.S

(2)For the purposes of any enactment—

(a)providing for a document to be executed by a body corporate by affixing its common seal; or

(b)referring (in whatever terms) to a document so executed,

a document signed [F3, subscribed or authenticated] by or on behalf of the body corporate in accordance with the provisions of the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995 shall have effect as if so executed.

Specific enactmentsS

Lands Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1845S

2SIn Schedules (A) and (B) to the M1Lands Clauses Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1845 at the end of each of the forms there shall be added—

“Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Infeftment Act 1845S

3SIn Schedules (A) and (B) to the M2Infeftment Act 1845 for the words from “In witness” to the end there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Commissioners Clauses Act 1847S

4SAt the end of section 59 of the M3Commissioners Clauses Act 1847 there shall be added the following subsection—

“(2)This section shall apply to Scotland as if—

(a)for the words from “by deed under” to “recorded” there were substituted the words—

“by a document—

(a)if they are a corporation, subscribed in accordance with section 7 of, and paragraph 5 of Schedule 2 to, the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995;

(b)if they are not a corporation, subscribed in accordance with the said section 7 by the commissioners or any two of them acting by the authority of and on behalf of the commissioners;

and a document so subscribed, followed by infeftment duly recorded,”;

(b)for the words from “under such” to “acting” there were substituted the word “subscribed”.”

5SAt the end of section 75 of that Act there shall be added the following subsection—

“(2)This section shall apply to Scotland as if for the words “by deed” to “five of them” there were substituted the words—in a document—

(a)which is duly stamped;

(b)in which the consideration is truly stated; and

(c)which is subscribed, if the commissioners—

(i)are a corporation, in accordance with section 7 of, and paragraph 5 of Schedule 2 to, the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995;

(ii)are not a corporation, in accordance with the said section 7 by the commissioners or any five of them,”.

6SAt the end of section 77 of that Act there shall be added the following subsection—

“(2)This section shall apply to Scotland as if for the words “by deed duly stamped” there were substituted the words “in a document which is duly stamped and which is subscribed in accordance with the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995.”.”.

7SIn Schedule (B) to that Act—

(a)the words from “or, if the deed” to “case may be,” are hereby repealed;

(b)at the end there shall be added the words “[or, if the document is granted under Scots law, insert testing clause+]

+Note—As regards a document granted under Scots law, subscription of it by the granter will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

8SIn Schedule (C) to that Act—

(a)the words from “[or, if the deed” to “Scotland,]” are hereby repealed;

(b)at the end there shall be added the words “[or, if the document is granted under Scots law, insert testing clause+]

+Note—As regards a document granted under Scots law, subscription of it by the granter will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Entail Amendment Act 1848S

9SIn section 50 of the M4Entail Amendment Act 1848 for the word “tested” there shall be substituted the word “ subscribed ”.

10SIn the Schedule to that Act—

(a)the words “and of the witnesses subscribing,” are hereby repealed;

(b)for the words from “In witness whereof” to the end there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the heir of entail in possession and the notary public will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Ordnance Board Transfer Act 1855S

11SAt the end of section 5 of the M5Ordnance Board Transfer Act 1855 there shall be added the following subsection—

“(2)This section shall apply to Scotland as if for the words from “signing” to “his deed” there were substituted the words “subscribing it in accordance with the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995”.”.

Registration of Leases (Scotland) Act 1857S

12SIn Schedule (A) to the M6Registration of Leases (Scotland) Act 1857 for the words “in common form” there shall be substituted— “+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

13SIn each of Schedules (B), (C), (D), (F), (G) and (H) to that Act after the words “Testing clause” there shall be inserted “+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Transmission of Moveable Property (Scotland) Act 1862S

14SIn each of Schedules A and B to the M7Transmission of Moveable Property (Scotland) Act 1862 for the words from “In witness whereof” to the end there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

15SIn Schedule C to that Act for the words from “and D” to the end there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause ”.

Titles to Land Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1868S

16SIn Schedule (B) nos. 1 and 2 and (AA) no. 3 to the M8Titles to Land Consolidation (Scotland) Act 1868 for the words from “In witness whereof” to “usual form]” there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

17SIn Schedules (J), (BB) no. 1, (CC) nos. 1 and 2 and (OO) to that Act for the words from “In witness whereof” to the end there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

18SIn Schedule (FF) no. 1 to that Act—

(a)for the words from “In witness whereof” to “usual form]” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end there shall be added “+ Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

19SIn Schedule (GG) to that Act—

(a)for the words from “In witness whereof” to “I K Witness” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)after Note (b) there shall be inserted—

“+(c) Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

20SIn Schedule (NN) to that Act—

(a)for the words from “In witness whereof” to “G H Witness” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end there shall be added—

“+Subscription of the document by the granter if it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Conveyancing (Scotland) Act 1874S

21SIn Schedules C, F, L nos. 1 and 2 and N to the M9Conveyancing (Scotland) Act 1874 for the words “In witness whereof [testing clause]” there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

22SIn Schedule G to that Act—

(a)for the words “In witness whereof [testing clause]” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end of the Note there shall be added—

“+Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

23SIn Schedule M to that Act for the words “and add testing clause]” there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+]

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Colonial Stock Act 1877S

24SAt the end of subsection (1) of section 4 of the M10Colonial Stock Act 1877 there shall be added the words “or, in relation to Scotland, subscribed in accordance with section 7 of the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995.”.

25SAt the end of section 6 of that Act there shall be added the following subsection—

“(2)This section shall have effect in relation to Scotland as if for the words from “given” to “attested” there were substituted the words “subscribed by the person not under disability in accordance with section 7 of the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995.”.”.

Colonial Stock Act 1892S

26SAfter subsection (2) of section 2 of the M11Colonial Stock Act 1892 there shall be added the following subsection—

“(2A)This section shall have effect in relation to Scotland as if—

(a)in subsection (1) for the words from “deed according” to “parties” there were substituted the words “a document in the form set out in the Schedule to this Act or to the like effect and the document as executed”;

(b)in subsection (2) for the words “by deed” there were substituted the words “under this section”.”

27SAt the end of the Schedule to that Act there shall be added the words “[If the document is granted under the law of Scotland, for the words from “Witness our hands” to the end substitute “[Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).]”]”.

Feudal Casualties (Scotland) Act 1914S

28SIn each of Schedules B and C to the M12Feudal Casualties (Scotland) Act 1914—

(a)for the words “In witness whereof” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause ”; and

(b)at the end of the Note there shall be added the words “Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Trusts (Scotland) Act 1921S

29SIn Schedule A to the M13Trusts (Scotland) Act 1921—

(a)for the words “(To be attested)” there s hall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end there shall be added—

“+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

30SIn Schedule B to that Act for the words “(To be attested)” there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter or granters of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Conveyancing (Scotland) Act 1924S

31SIn Schedule B to the M14Conveyancing (Scotland) Act 1924—

(a)in forms nos. 1 to 6 for the words “[To be attested]” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end of the Notes there shall be added—

“+Note 8—Subscription of the document by the notary public (or law agent) on behalf of the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

32SIn Schedule E to that Act for the words “[To be attested]” there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

33SIn Schedules G and H to that Act for the words “[to be attested]” there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995)”.

34SIn Schedule K to that Act—

(a)in forms nos 1 to 7 for the words “[To be attested]” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end of the notes there shall be added—

“+Note 5—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

35SIn Schedule L to that Act, in form 4, for the words “[To be attested]” there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the notary public or law agent on behalf of the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

36SIn Schedule N to that Act for the words “[To be attested]” there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Long Leases (Scotland) Act 1954S

37SIn the Fourth Schedule to the M15Long Leases (Scotland) Act 1954—

(a)for the words “[To be attested]” there shall be substituted the words— “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end of the Notes there shall be added—

“+4 Subscription of the feu contract by the parties to it will be sufficient for the contract to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Succession (Scotland) Act 1964S

38SAt the end of section 21 of the M16Succession (Scotland) Act 1964 there shall be added the following subsection—

“(2)This section shall not apply to a testamentary document executed after the commencement of the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995.”.

39SAfter section 21 of that Act there shall be inserted the following section—

“21A Evidence as to testamentary documents in commissary proceedings.

Confirmation of an executor to property disposed of in a testamentary document executed after the commencement of the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995 shall not be granted unless the formal validity of the document is governed—

(a)by Scots law and the document is presumed under section 3 or 4 of that Act to have been subscribed by the granter so disposing of that property; or

(b)by a law other than Scots law and the court is satisfied that the document is formally valid according to the law governing such validity.”.

40SFor section 32 of that Act there shall be substituted the following section—

“32 Certain testamentary dispositions to be formally valid.

(1)For the purpose of any question arising as to entitlement, by virtue of a testamentary disposition, to any relevant property or to any interest therein, the disposition shall be treated as valid in respect of the formalities of execution.

(2)Subsection (1) above is without prejudice to any right to challenge the validity of the testamentary disposition on the ground of forgery or on any other ground of essential invalidity.

(3)In this section “relevant property” means property disposed of in the testamentary disposition in respect of which—

(a)confirmation has been granted; or

(b)probate, letters of administration or other grant of representation—

(i)has been issued, and has noted the domicile of the deceased to be, in England and Wales or Northern Ireland; or

(ii)has been issued outwith the United Kingdom and had been sealed in Scotland under section 2 of the Colonial Probates Act 1892.”.

41SIn Schedule 1 to that Act for the words “[To be attested by two witnesses] [Signature of A B]” there shall be substituted the words “Testing clause+

+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965S

F442S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F543S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970S

44SIn Schedule 2 to the M17Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970—

(a)in forms A and B for the words “[To be attested]” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end of the Notes there shall be added—

“+Note 8—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

45SIn Schedule 4 to that Act—

(a)in form A and forms C to F for the words “[To be attested]” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end of the Notes there shall be added—

“+Note 7—Subscription of the document by the granter of it, or in the case of form E the granter and the consenter to the variation, will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

46SIn Schedule 5 to that Act, in form D—

(a)in nos 1 and 2 for the words “[To be attested]” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end there shall be added—

“+Note—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

47SIn Schedule 9 to that Act—

(a)for the words “[To be attested]” there shall be substituted the words “ Testing clause+ ”;

(b)at the end of the Notes there shall be added—

“+Note 4—Subscription of the document by the granter of it will be sufficient for the document to be formally valid, but witnessing of it may be necessary or desirable for other purposes (see the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995).”.

Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975S

[F648S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Patents Act 1977S

49SIn section 31(6) of the M18Patents Act 1977 for the words from “probative” to the end there shall be substituted the words “ subscribed in accordance with the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995. ”.

Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982S

[F750S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Companies Act 1985S

51SF8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

52SF9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

53SF10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

54SF11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

55SF12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

56SF13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Companies Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1985S

57SAt the end of section 11 of the M19Companies Consolidation (Consequential Provisions) Act 1985 there shall be added the following subsection—

“(3)The foregoing provisions of this section are without prejudice to the right of a company to subscribe such securities and documents in accordance with the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995.”.

Insolvency Act 1986S

58SIn section 53 of the M20Insolvency Act 1986—

(a)in subsection (1) for the words “a validly executed instrument in writing” there shall be substituted the words “ an instrument subscribed in accordance with the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995 ”;

(b)for subsection (4) there shall be substituted the following subsection—

“(4)If the receiver is to be appointed by the holders of a series of secured debentures, the instrument of appointment may be executed on behalf of the holders of the floating charge by any person authorised by resolution of the debenture-holders to execute the instrument.”.

Housing (Scotland) Act 1987S

F1459S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1560S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .