This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Twenty new members for revised panel of agricultural arbiters
29/09/1998
Twenty new members are included on a revised agricultural panel which helps resolve farming disputes between landlords and tenants.
Membership of the Panel of Agricultural Arbiters follows consultations between the Secretary of State and Lord Roger of Earlsferry.
Commenting on the appointments, Lord Sewel Scottish Agriculture Minister said:
"Agricultural arbiters play an important role in resolving farming disputes and I am grateful to past members of the Panel for their work in this regard.
"The wider issue of relations between landowners and farm tenants is currently being examined as part of our work on Land Reform. A key feature emerging from the consultations is a desire for simpler and cheaper arrangements for resolving disputes. We are still considering the implications of this for the arbitration process, and any changes in the legislation would be a matter for the Scottish Parliament. The revised Panel will, however, continue in its present role in the meantime."
BACKGROUND
1. The Panel was constituted under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991. There are 68 names on the revised panel.
2. Under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act 1991, disputes between landlords and farm tenants arising, for example, out of a rent review or from claims for compensation on termination of the tenancy, are normally resolved by arbitration. In general, arbitrations are undertaken by individuals appointed by agreement between the parties. However, where the parties have been unable to agree upon the appointment of an arbiter, either of the parties may apply to the Secretary of State for one to be appointed from among the members of a panel constituted for this purpose under Section 63 of the 1991 Act. Within the terms of the Act, the panel is required to be reviewed at intervals not exceeding 5 years.
3. Landlord and tenant issues are covered in Chapter 8 of the Land Reform Policy Group's second consultation paper, "Identifying the Solutions", launched by the Secretary of State on 4 September 1998 and published the same day. Responses are sought by 30 November 1998.
4. Copies of the list of members of the Panel may be obtained from the Scottish Office Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries Department, Room 133, Pentland House, 47 Robb's Loan, Edinburgh EH14 1TY (Tel: 0131-244-6604). The consultation paper is also available on the Scottish Office website, www.Scotland.gov.uk
News Release: 1951/98
29 September 1998