ASSC Open Surgery: Legal Strategy and Advocacy Fund Update

A Free Online Event for All in Scotland’s Self-Catering Industry

• Date: Wednesday 30th July 2025
• Time: 7 – 8 pm
• Location: Webinar / Zoom
• Register: here
• Cost: Free and open to all associated with Scotland’s Self-Catering Sector

Submit Your Questions in Advance

We encourage attendees to share questions ahead of the event. This will help us to tailor the discussion and ensure your concerns are addressed.

Please email your questions to: communications@assc.co.uk – Deadline for submission is noon on Wednesday, 30th July 2025

What is This Meeting About?

Join us for a special Open Surgery meeting to discuss our current legal workstreams, strategic objectives, and how we can collectively support ongoing advocacy through the ASSC’s ringfenced Advocacy Fund.

This session will provide clarity on recent legal activity, outline next steps, and allow you to ask questions and contribute directly to the sector’s future.

This is your opportunity to understand the legal landscape, ask questions, and help protect the future of Scotland’s self-catering sector.

What We’ll Cover

• Recent victory on Non-Domestic Rates (NDR): Following ASSC pressure and legal input, the Scottish Government will amend regulations to rectify unfair Council Tax reclassifications affecting legitimate operators.
• Use Class Order (UCO) Reform: Updates on our formal engagement with Scottish Government to introduce a new UCO for self-catering, supported by legal advice from Brodies LLP and Burness Paull.
• Potential Third Judicial Review (JR): An update on our planned A1P1 legal challenge against disproportionate enforcement in STL Control Areas. A £10,000 contribution from Justice for Scotland’s Self-Caterers has funded a King’s Counsel opinion—your support will determine next steps.
• Closure of SPSO complaint: Why we have decided not to proceed with further SPSO action regarding unlawful COLU requirements.
• Why your support matters: Learn more about the Advocacy Fund, how it’s used, and why voluntary contributions are vital to delivering the legal, policy, and public affairs work that protects our industry.

Why Attend?

• It’s free and open to all in the industry
• Find out what legal actions and advocacy strategies are already in motion to defend and support Scotland’s self-catering sector
• Get behind-the-scenes insight into how ASSC is influencing policy and regulation
• Understand how your support fuels meaningful change
• Hear directly from ASSC Chief Executive Fiona Campbell MBE and ASSC Board Directors Iain Muirhead, Ralph Averbuch and Paul Philips with the opportunity to ask questions before and during the session.

How to Attend

Please register here.

A reminder to email your questions to: communications@assc.co.uk – Deadline for submission is noon on Wednesday 30th July 2025

Let’s Together Protect the Future of Scotland’s Self-Catering Sector

Together, we are making progress – but achieving legal clarity and fair regulation takes ongoing commitment from us all. Please join us for this important session.

We look forward to seeing you there!

With thanks to our Talk Sponsor: